Alex Lotti

An intriguing motif Henry James uses in his novella, The Turn of the Screw, is that of the maritime metaphor. The governess repeatedly views her circumstances and control of the children in the context of nautical turbulence. Her initial impression of Bly likens the estate to “a great drifting ship” at whose helm she found herself (33). She returns to this analogy toward the end, claiming to have “avoided total wreck” by clutching said helm (110). She even goes so far as to say Mrs. Grose “brought up the plumb” to emphasize how deeply the two women shared their suspicion of Miles having stolen the letter to his uncle (109).

In a way, the recurring metaphor parallels Flora’s frequent retreats to the pool of Bly, one of the story’s key settings. When the governess witnesses Miss Jessel for the first time, it is while Flora merely fashions a pretend boat out of two sticks. When the governess finally breaks and explicitly asks Flora about Miss Jessel, it is only after Flora has grown bold enough to steal the real boat and row it on her own.