is evidence, at least, of an unrealistic fantasy. Or, is she deranged and caught up in a delusion and frenzy which borders on psychosis? This could perhaps be confirmed when she says that:I shut myself up audibly to rehearse- it was at once a fantastic relief and a renewed despair- the manner in which I might come to the point. I approached it from one side and the other while, in my room, I flung myself about, but I always broke down in the monstrous utterance of names.'This is very disturbed behaviour, but is it because her dilemma is real, and she is desperate to win the battle against the demons and save the children? Or, is she completely hysterical and suffering from a mental aberration that brings on the hallucinations. This is a bit of a chicken and egg' question though, what came first- the apparitions or the illness? This could possibly be the purpose of James' novel: to create a mystery. Were the ghosts an hallucination, or was he describing the corruption of innocent minds? If the situation at Bly is real, why does the governess resort to deceit and lying when she hides the children's letters to their uncle? Has she exaggerated events? Was there really a blast of frozen air when she visits Miles in his bedroom. She says that: the boy gave a loud high shriek' (suggesting he was terrified) and the candle went out:It was I who blew it out dear!', said Miles.Was the boy frightened or not? Does this mean the governess is getting confused in her story? Is the narration untrue? Or is the boy playing games with her?James continues to tease the reader with his puzzling uncertain angles on the story. Are the children an ordinary fun loving pair, playing games with just the next in a line of governesses sent to look after them, and not connected at all with the apparitions? Has the governess only focussed on their presumed involvement to justify her claims of Quint and Jessel's appearance? Are the children innocent victims of ...
