The Turn of the Screw is a novella written by Henry James. Originally published in 1898, it is a ghost story.
Due to its ambiguous content, it became a favourite text of academics who subscribe to New Criticism. The novella has had differing interpretations, often mutually exclusive. Many critics have tried to determine the exact nature of the evil hinted at by the story. However, others have argued that the true brilliance of the novella comes with its ability to create an intimate confusion and suspense for the reader.
“The Turn of the Screw” at Wikipedia
SARA: “Turn of the Screw” isn't really a horror story. It's more of a mystery. Did the governess kill the little boy or did the ghost do it?
GIL: Well, it's only a mystery if you believe in ghosts.
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
“Turn of the Screws,”
Season 4, Episode 21
I recently read a book—not “Turn of the Screw”—in which the author, something of an academic, describes ancient mysteries from around Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
I’m not going to promote the book by naming the title or the author or even the subject matter. Those would be, so to speak, dead giveaways.
I read a lot myself. And I have a reasonably good memory. While I was reading the book I noticed that, in describing many ancient so-called mysteries, the author was using quotations from books sometimes without the context around the quote that would have changed the very meaning the author was reporting. And I noticed that the author sometimes used translations of texts where one or two words were the author’s own or obscure translations of words rather than the commonly accepted translated words.
And I noticed that readers can call their travel agents and book cruises and tours built around the author’s books because throughout the year the author leads groups to the various places he writes about and lectures about the various mysteries from his books.
Hmmm.
I think about that book and the author and his lecture tours a lot when I’m clicking around the internet.
And I think about this link from Wikipedia: Snake Oil
I’m not going to promote the book by naming the title or the author or even the subject matter. Those would be, so to speak, dead giveaways.
I read a lot myself. And I have a reasonably good memory. While I was reading the book I noticed that, in describing many ancient so-called mysteries, the author was using quotations from books sometimes without the context around the quote that would have changed the very meaning the author was reporting. And I noticed that the author sometimes used translations of texts where one or two words were the author’s own or obscure translations of words rather than the commonly accepted translated words.
And I noticed that readers can call their travel agents and book cruises and tours built around the author’s books because throughout the year the author leads groups to the various places he writes about and lectures about the various mysteries from his books.
Hmmm.
I think about that book and the author and his lecture tours a lot when I’m clicking around the internet.
And I think about this link from Wikipedia: Snake Oil
GRISSOM: “There are three things in human life that are important. The first is to be kind; the second one is to be kind and the third one is to be kind.”
SARA: Henry James.
GRISSOM: Very good. Author of one of the greatest horror stories ever written. Turn of the Screw. And I'm looking for one.
SARA: A screw?
GRISSOM: Yes.
NICK: Oh, well, technically these are eccentric shafts, not screws. (GREG hands him a container full of screws)
GRISSOM: Well, as long as you can screw a nut on it, it's a screw.
SARA: Turn of the Screw isn't really a horror story it's more of a mystery. Did the governess kill the little boy or did the ghost do it?
GRISSOM: Well, it's only a mystery if you believe in ghosts. (SARA gives him a look. He holds up a screw) End threads are stripped.
NICK: Means the nuts were loose. Excessive play on the screws would have worn down the threads.
GRISSOM: And the nuts would have popped off.
GREG: Nuts just don't pop off by themselves. (GRISSOM gives him a look)
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Season 4, Episode 21
“Turn of the Screws,” at TV.COM
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