CONFLICT

Protagonist

The governess is the protagonist of the novel as she not only narrates but also guides the events of the story. She takes up a job at Bly to look after the niece and nephew of her employer.

Antagonist

The ghosts of Peter Quint and Miss. Jessel, the former employees at Bly, are her antagonists because their apparitions haunt the governess and darken her mind against the children.

The governess asks the housekeeper to take away Flora away from Bly, in order to save the girl from evil spirits. Left alone with Miles, she confronts the boy and questions him about his behavior at school. As they are talking, the governess suddenly sees the apparition of Peter Quint on the window. When the vision appears again, she makes Miles aware of the apparition.

Outcome

Though Miles does not see the vision, he guesses that it is an apparition of Peter Quint. Miles calls peter Quint, calls him a devil and drops down dead.

Table of Contents | Printable Version