Interpreting fictions

Gregory Currie

pp. 96-112

in: Richard Freadman, Lloyd Reinhardt (eds), On literary theory and philosophy, Berlin, Springer, 1991

Abstract

A young governess is given charge of two orphaned children by their guardian. The children have been exposed to an immoral liaison between their former governess and the odious Peter Quint, both now dead. The new governess becomes aware that the dead have returned to complete their corruption of the children, who pretend to be unknowing of their presence. She confronts the boy with the ghost of Quint. The boy dies in her arms.