The Turn of the Screw: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in The Turn of the Screw, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- The governessShe accepts work caring for two orphaned children at Bly under a guardian who refuses responsibility.First seen in chapter 1
- MilesHe is the orphaned nephew of the bachelor seeking someone to care for two children.First seen in chapter 1
- FloraShe is the orphaned niece of the bachelor seeking someone to care for two children.First seen in chapter 1
- The uncleHe is a charming bachelor seeking care for his orphaned nephew and niece without accepting responsibility.First seen in chapter 1
- DouglasHe offers a fireside gathering a disturbing account preserved in a manuscript by a governess he knows.First seen in chapter 1
- Mrs. GroseShe warmly welcomes the governess to Bly, where the governess quickly grows attached to her.First seen in chapter 2
- Miss JesselShe is the previous governess, who left for a holiday and died away from Bly.First seen in chapter 3
- Peter QuintHe appears as an unknown man watching the governess from a tower at Bly.First seen in chapter 4
- Chapter 1
Douglas begins reading a governess's manuscript about her experience caring for two children.
- Chapter 2
The governess arrives at Bly and grows attached to Flora and Mrs. Grose.
- Chapter 3
A school letter says Miles cannot return, but gives no specific reason.
- Chapter 4
The governess brings Miles to Bly and later sees an unknown man watching from a tower.
- Chapter 5
The same man appears outside the dining room, and the governess searches unsuccessfully for him.
- Chapter 6
Mrs. Grose identifies the man from the governess's description as Peter Quint and reveals that he is dead.
- Chapter 8
The governess identifies the woman by the lake as Miss Jessel and believes Flora secretly recognizes her.
- Chapter 9
Mrs. Grose describes Miles's close attachment to Quint and his denials of some meetings.
- Chapter 10
The governess encounters Quint on the staircase and faces him until he disappears.
- Chapter 11
After finding Flora watching outside at night, the governess discovers Miles on the lawn.
- Chapter 12
Miles explains his midnight outing as an attempt to seem naughty and reveals Flora's part in the plan.
- Chapter 13
The governess refuses to seek the uncle's help and threatens to leave if Mrs. Grose contacts him.
- Chapter 15
Miles asks when he can return to school and declares that he can make his uncle visit.
- Chapter 16
The governess considers leaving, but seeing her ghostly predecessor in the schoolroom makes her decide to stay.
- Chapter 17
The governess decides to contact the uncle, though she and Mrs. Grose disagree about what to tell him.
- Chapter 18
Miles demands his uncle's involvement, and a cold blast and shriek interrupt the governess's appeal to save him.
- Chapter 19
Miles plays the piano while Flora disappears, and the governess leaves her sealed letter for collection.
- Chapter 20
The governess and Mrs. Grose find Flora across the lake, where the governess asks her about Miss Jessel.
- Chapter 21
The governess sees Miss Jessel, but Mrs. Grose sees nothing and Flora demands to leave her teacher.
- Chapter 22
The governess arranges for Mrs. Grose to take Flora to her uncle and learns her letter never left Bly.
- Chapter 23
After Mrs. Grose and Flora leave, the governess and Miles share a private meal.
- Chapter 24
Miles promises to speak after a delay, and the governess asks whether he took her letter.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- BlyIt is the place where the governess accepts work caring for the guardian's two children.First seen in chapter 1
- ChurchIt is where the governess refuses to go because she fears leaving the children.First seen in chapter 6
- The lakeIt is a place where the governess spends an afternoon and suspects another apparition.First seen in chapter 7
- The schoolroomIt is a room at Bly where the governess sees her ghostly predecessor at a table.First seen in chapter 16

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