The question of who killed Miles in Henry James’s novella The Turn of the Screw has sparked considerable debate among readers and critics alike. In the story, Miles is a young boy living at a remote estate called Bly, and he becomes a key figure in the narrative as the governess attempts to protect him and his sister, Flora, from supernatural forces.
However, it is important to note that Miles is not directly killed by anyone in the traditional sense. Rather, the tension and ambiguity surrounding his character lead to a tragic conclusion. The governess believes that Miles is being influenced by the ghost of Peter Quint, a former servant at Bly. As the story progresses, Miles’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic, leading to a climactic confrontation between him and the governess.
The governess’s attempt to ‘save’ Miles by confronting the specter of Quint ultimately results in a moment of emotional turmoil. In the final encounter, as she tries to reach Miles and protect him, he collapses after uttering his last words, leaving his fate open to interpretation. The text suggests that Miles’s death may not be a literal killing but rather a consequence of the overwhelming pressure and fear that the supernatural events have placed upon him.
In summary, Miles’s demise in The Turn of the Screw can be seen as a tragic result of the interplay between innocence and malevolent forces, rather than a direct act of murder. The ambiguity of his death invites readers to consider the psychological and emotional dimensions of the story, making it a subject of rich analysis and interpretation.