Theme Statement

1. Theme Statement Your theme statement should reflect YOUR reading of the narrative clearly. Remember, antagonistic forces cannot simply be people. What do people represent? Some things to consider in your results when you contemplate the author's intentions: • the corruption of innocence • the function of heroism …constructive or destructive? (the governess as so called savior) • the interrelationship of the supernatural vs. the psychological • forbidden subjects (i.e. sex, inappropriate relationships)

2. Preface to the 1908 edition… Can we discern anything in the way of authorial intent from the preface and the few letter excerpts that remain?

3. 5 Major Points • He saw the narrative as a “fanciful romance” based on an anecdote he had heard. The resulting story was a fairy tale so simple in its effect it would not attract serious criticism.

4. 5 Major Points • He saw the narrative as a “fanciful romance” based on an anecdote he had heard. The resulting story was a fairy tale so simple in its effect it would not attract serious criticism. • He was not interested in offering a full characterization of the governess. Rather, he worked hard to have her keep clear her record of the events she was engaged in, though her explanation of those events was not always accurate.

5. 5 Major Points • He saw the narrative as a “fanciful romance” based on an anecdote he had heard. The resulting story was a fairy tale so simple in its effect it would not attract serious criticism. • He was not interested in offering a full characterization of the governess. Rather, he worked hard to have her keep clear her record of the events she was engaged in, though her explanation of those events was not always accurate. • He saw the ghosts as evil spirits, predatory villains wooing Miles and Flora to their destruction.

6. 5 Major Points • He saw the narrative as a “fanciful romance” based on an anecdote he had heard. The resulting story was a fairy tale so simple in its effect it would not attract serious criticism. • He was not interested in offering a full characterization of the governess. Rather, he worked hard to have her keep clear her record of the events she was engaged in, though her explanation of those events was not always accurate. • He saw the ghosts as evil spirits, predatory villains wooing Miles and Flora to their destruction. • He did not want to specify the precise nature of the evil done by Quint and Jessel, with each other or with the children. He wanted to give only vague hints, leaving it to readers to visualize the worst case scenario.

7. 5 Major Points • He saw the narrative as a “fanciful romance” based on an anecdote he had heard. The resulting story was a fairy tale so simple in its effect it would not attract serious criticism. • He was not interested in offering a full characterization of the governess. Rather, he worked hard to have her keep clear her record of the events she was engaged in, though her explanation of those events was not always accurate. • He saw the ghosts as evil spirits, predatory villains wooing Miles and Flora to their destruction. • He did not want to specify the precise nature of the evil done by Quint and Jessel, with each other or with the children. He wanted to give only vague hints, leaving it to readers to visualize the worst case scenario. • He saw the narrative as a thing of beauty, a work of art designed to terrify and move its readers. (pot boiler and jeu d’esprit)

8. Essay Preparation • Review posted power points. • Reread key expository scenes in the narrative. • Be clear on your reading of the story and the function of each of the characters. • Every prompt will remind you to avoid mere plot summary. • Every prompt will ask how your area of focus contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.