ENG 21 Chapter Notes - Chapter 4: Pedophilia

• School: Evergreen State College
• Department: Evergreen State College
• Course: ENG 21
• Professor: All

Document Summary

Henry james" the turn of the screw uncovers how pedophiles are perceived using the psychoanalytic theory. The governess and peter quint were shown as pedophiles as they fondled with the children, especially miles. Peter quint"s apparition represents the id, as he takes advantage of miles being gay to satisfy his sexual desires. The superego is the current governess, as she suppressed and covered up the homosexuality and any incidents of molestation because it was shamed in society. Miles depicts himself as his own ego, as he attempts to conceal his homosexuality maintaining a front for society. Peter quint is abusive and takes advantage of those around him, including miles. Grose, the housekeeper, refers peter quint as a hound (james 152) and is much too free (james 145), and associates peter as an untamed beast with no self-control, reasonably comparable to a pedophile.