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The Turn of the Screw

The Turn of the Screw. Henry James’ Novella through Four Critical Literary Lenses AP Literature: Freire Charter School Ms. Stacey – Day 1 – December 4, 2012. Class Bulletin: Tues 12/4/12. What do I put in the bin? Your PMJB essay and novel What do I need on my desk

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The Turn of the Screw

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  1. The Turn of the Screw Henry James’ Novella through Four Critical Literary Lenses AP Literature: Freire Charter School Ms. Stacey – Day 1 – December 4, 2012

  2. Class Bulletin: Tues 12/4/12 • What do I put in the bin? • Your PMJB essay and novel • What do I need on my desk • The Turn of the Screw novel • Who has a make-up assignment to complete? • Aigner, Adama

  3. The Novella in a Nutshell • The Turn of the Screw is one of the most influential ghost stories of all time: It still leaves readers guessing to this day... James never clearly came out and told readers what he intended them to believe... • Key Literary Devices: • Frame • Suspense • Many confusing plot twists

  4. Thematic Elements: A Preview • The Supernatural • Ghosts • As you read, ask yourself: • In your opinion, are the ghosts really there? • What could a ghost be a symbol of? • How are people who claim to see spirits viewed by society?

  5. Thematic Elements: A Preview • Innocence • What exactly does "innocent" mean, anyway? • Does it just mean free from guilt, or does it imply something a little broader – free from knowledge, perhaps? • As you read, ask yourself: • Are children, by nature, innocent? Why or why not? • Can you still be a “pure” person, even after witnessing “evil” things?

  6. Thematic Elements: A Preview • Good vs. Evil • Is it ever really that simple? • Depending on how you read the story, different characters can get assigned to the sides of good and evil… • As you read, ask yourself: • Why is it difficult to define individual people as either good or evil? • Why are children typically seen as good? Why is it so troubling to view a child as evil? • Are concepts of good and evil tied exclusively to religion?

  7. Thematic Elements: A Preview • Appearances can be Deceiving • Characters in The Turn of the Screw are basically judged entirely on their physical appearances – sweeping speculations are often made based simply on how people look. • As you read, ask yourself: • How much do some characters “get away with” simply because of their appearance? • What significance might the physical beauty of the certain characters have?

  8. Thematic Elements: A Preview • Society and Class • In Victorian England, there were vest class divisions, and people of different classes almost never mixed. • As you read, ask yourself: • Pay attention to who is called a “gentleman” or a “lady” – and who is not. • How much of the characters’ fears of others depend on their class rank?

  9. Thematic Elements: A Preview • Repression • The Victorian era was also a period infamous for its prim, proper exterior and wild, often truly bizarre interior… • As you read, ask yourself: • What kinds of relationships do these people have? Why is so much left unsaid and/or implied?

  10. Thematic Elements: A Preview • Gender • The world of The Turn of the Screw is dominated by women, whose lives in turn are dominated by men, whether they know it or not. • Gender plays a huge role in the characters’ relationships – pay particular attention to that fact that while sexuality is never, ever openly discussed, James definitely intended for his readers to think about how gender played into characters’ desires and power struggles. • As you read, ask yourself: • How much can a woman ever truly control a man –even a male child? • To what extent is the answer to that question influenced by time period? • To what extent does the Victorian fear of homosexuality permeate this tale?

  11. Background / EnrichmentPresentations Everyone will be doing one presentation this quarter – one either a “background” or “enrichment” topic related to this novel. You must be prepared to present on your assigned day – no excuses!

  12. The Prologue  Chapter 1 • The story opens with a framing device: • We find ourselves at a holiday party, where ghost stories are being told. • One of the members of the party, Douglas, promises to provide a chilling, real-life tale once a manuscript containing it arrives. • The houseguests are all intrigued and excited – as are we, the readers. • Chapter One begins the proper “story”: • A nameless, young governess (our narrator) is hired by a dashing, rich, and rather odd man to be a governess for his niece and nephew who live at a country estate called Bly. • The Governess sets out for Bly, with only the instruction that she is never to contact the uncle. • At the house, she finds Mrs. Grose, a kindly housekeeper, and Flora, the younger of the children. Flora is an exceptionally beautiful and all-around wonderful child – too wonderful, perhaps.

  13. Homework for Wed 12/5/12 • Read Turn of the Screw Prologue-Ch 1 (22-33) • Respond to the blog prompt • Begin planning/preparing for your group presentation!

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