The Turn of the Screw

The Turn of the Screw Summary | Introduction Summary

The introduction to The Turn of the Screw introduces us to the un-named author and the storyteller-to-be, known only as Douglas. A group has gathered by the fire in an old house to tell stories on Christmas Eve, and an unknown participant has just finished a gruesome story, deemed by the narrator to be fitting to the time and setting. The story just told involves a child, a contributing factor to its grotesque description, and the group quietly ponders the tale, until Douglas offers the possibility of a story even more horrible involving not one, but two children.

The gathering is interested, and one woman declares the idea to be "delicious" and urges Douglas to tell the story. He reveals that he is the only one that has heard the story before, and that, to the dismay of the group, he shall have to send to town for the manuscript, currently locked away.

Douglas says that the story was recorded not by him, but by his sister's governess, a "most charming person" ten years older than himself. He implies that the audience will judge why she hadn't told the story when they hear the tale, and then admits that it is because she was in love. After more questioning, he agrees to tell more the following day and retires to bed. The audience discusses that he was likely in love with the governess and retires for the evening as well.

The following day, he sent the key and letter to obtain the manuscript, which reaches him "on the third of these days" and which is read on the fourth. The narrator notes that Douglas gave him this same manuscript before he died death, and the narrative, "from an exact transcript of my own made much later, is what I shall presently give." The narrative also requires some introduction, and Douglas provides a bit of background on the governess.

Douglas says that governess has responded to an advertisement, meeting on Harley Street in London a handsome, single gentleman who is gallant, splendid, and most important to the governess, grateful for her favor of accepting his employment. The man had received, on the death of his parents, two children of a younger brother that had died two years earlier. He had sent the children to a well-staffed house in the country, Bly, relinquishing some of his own staff to take care of them. The first governess that cared for them had died, and the boy, Miles, had to be sent to school. The new governess would be responsible for the girl, Flora, and would look after the Miles during the school holiday as well.

The governess, though wary of her predecessor's dire fate, succumbed to the wiles of her new employer and took the position despite his single odd request: she was not to contact him under any circumstances. Other applicants not agreed to his terms, but the governess accepted, and received the reward of having her hand held while the man expressed his gratitude for her "sacrifice."

Finally, Douglas opens a "thin old-fashioned gilt-edged album" to begin the story. A curious woman asks for the title of the story, but Douglas does not have one. The author, or original narrator, says that he does, but does not disclose what it is. Readers and audience alike are left to settle in to hear the story.