The Turn of the Screw - A Look at a Criticism :: Henry James Turn Screw Essays

The Turn of the Screw - A liveliness at a Criticism   There are many polar ways to interpret The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James. Many critics oer the past century have voiced their opinions about the story. Each critical analysis of the story disagrees with the beliefs expressed in another. Robert B. Heilman is a critic who wrote in the mid-twentieth century. He interprets The Turn of the Screw to be a government agency of the difference of opinion between good and evil. Heilmans points are clear and obviously well purpose out, but there are flaws in his argument that make his reading questionable.   In his 1948 essay, Robert Heilman explores the suggestion that The Turn of the Screw is a symbolic representation of the conflict between good and evil. Heilman interprets the apparitions of gibe Quint and Miss Jessel as evil forces. He explains that the ghosts only appear to the governess because evil lurks in tincture before it strikes. It is the duty of the gover ness to detect and ward off evil. She must encourage the children from the awful ghosts. The governess describes Miles and Flora as beautiful little cherubs whose only disfigurement is their gentleness (James, 18-19). Heilman views the childrens witness as a symbol of the spiritual ne plus ultra of which man is capable. Heilman explains the ghosts attempts to reach the children by explaining that evil forces will always hand over to conquer and possess the human soul. Heilman continues to draw from the descriptions of Miles and Flora to support his theories. He points out that the two children are described as having an angelic beauty and a positive fragrance of purity (James 9, 13). The governess describes them as if they are blameless and beautiful in every way. This repeated vision of beauty, radiance, and innocence parallels the externalize of Eden. The house at Bly also resembles this image, I remember the lawn and the bright flowers... (James 7). The governess makes r efer of the golden sky and of Floras hair of gold, which Heilman believes connects Bly and Flora with these images of golden hues (James 7, 9).   Robert Heilman perceives that the ghost of Peter Quint is a direct representation of the serpent that plagues the Garden of Eden. Heilman supports this with the description of Quint found in the text, His eyes are sharp, strange- awfully .