Answer
Class distinctions play a significant role in Henry James' The Turn of the Screw. The novel is set in the late 19th century, a time when social class was a defining factor in people's lives. The governess, who is the protagonist of the story, is from a lower social class than her employers, the uncle and aunt of the two children she is hired to care for. This class difference creates a power dynamic that affects the governess's behavior and decisions throughout the novel.
The governess is acutely aware of her lower social status and is eager to please her employers. She sees her job as an opportunity to improve her social standing and is determined to do everything in her power to prove herself worthy of their trust. This desire to please her employers leads her to become overly protective of the children and to see ghosts where there may be none. Her obsession with protecting the children ultimately leads to their deaths.
The uncle and aunt, on the other hand, are portrayed as distant and uninvolved in the children's lives. They are more concerned with their own social status and reputation than with the well-being of their niece and nephew. This lack of involvement and concern for the children's welfare contributes to the governess's sense of isolation and her belief that she is the only one who can protect the children.
The class distinctions in the novel also affect the way the ghosts are perceived. The ghosts are associated with the lower classes, and their appearance is seen as a threat to the upper-class values and way of life. The governess's fear of the ghosts is not just a fear of the supernatural but also a fear of the lower classes and their perceived threat to the upper-class way of life.
In conclusion, class distinctions play a significant role in The Turn of the Screw. The power dynamic created by the governess's lower social status affects her behavior and decisions throughout the novel. The uncle and aunt's lack of involvement in the children's lives contributes to the governess