1. What motivates the governess to accept such an unusual position?
2. Describe the circumstances surrounding each appearance of an apparition.
3. How does Mrs. Grose come to believe in the presence of the ghosts? In your opinion, are the ghosts real, or are they manifestations of the Governess's imagination?
4. Why does James emphasize so strongly the sweetness and innocence of the children? What, if anything, do you think the ghosts are trying to do to the children?
5. Why does the governess fail to investigate Miles' expulsion from school?
6. What is gained by having the governess relate the story?
7. How do you account for little Flora's illness at the end of the story?
8. What does the governess think of her employer?
9. Is it important that this was the governess' first position?
10. How responsible is the governess for the fate of the children?
11. Why are the Governess and Mrs. Grose so disturbed by the idea that the children might know about the illicit relationship between Miss Jessel and Peter Quint?
12. What exactly is so scary about Peter Quint (aside from the fact that he's dead)?
13. How does James imply that the governess resembles a ghost?
14. Give two different interpretations of the scene in which the governess and Mrs. Grose find Flora by the lake and argue for one interpretation over the other.
15. Give two significant examples of James’s use of deliberate ambiguity and offer two different interpretations of each example.
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