Essay: The Evil Within

Prompt: Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might on the basis of the character's actions alone be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary.

The Evil Within

       What outside influences could cause a seemingly normal 10 year-old boy to do such evil and unthinkable acts? In The Turn of the Screw, Miles appears to have many outside factors which could have influenced his uncharacteristic behavior.  His character touches the readers from the beginning to end as he deals with more than a child of his age should bare.
       Miles has experienced the tragic death of his parents. This immediately draws sympathy from the audience to the poor boy. Realizing the challenges a child must face in this situation, one can't help but to feel sorry for Miles. Miles and his sister seem to be abandoned by their uncle after the death of their parents. This could be seen as rejection by a loved one when Miles' uncle refuses to participate in raising him by hiring a new governess to watch over the children. Early into the story, it is apparent that Miles is also dealing with issues in school after he is expelled for unknown reasons. These issues seem to be caused by various  reasons from the death of his parents to his inner struggle with homosexuality. The apparitions that are introduced, including Peter Quint, have had a significant influence on Miles' "evil behavior". It is evident that this seemingly well-mannered boy is hiding something horrible. The ghosts that are seen around the house are influencing Miles in some way, causing him not to elaborate on his actions to anyone, especially the governess. When Miles finally sees and acknowledges the ghost, Peter Quint, he takes his last breath as he suddenly dies. There is a sympathetic relief that the evil has vanished as well as the struggle within himself.
       Although his actions were sinister for the time of the setting, the audience feels sympathy for the boy because of the idea that he had been abused in some way by either emotional neglect from his uncle, pressure from the governess or physically and sexually by the apparitions of the house, specifically Peter Quint and Jessele. If the audience was unaware of Miles' history and the affects he had emotionally and physically, then the audience would be less sympathetic. The fact that his parents had passed away, was neglected by his uncle, and was expelled from school shows that he is emotionally challenged. The possibility of sexual abuse and his eventual death from being possessed by the evil ghosts makes him worthy of the sympathy of the audience. The title, The Turn of the Screw, can also indicate the increasing pressure Miles felt to tell the governess what had mysteriously happened at school. Also, there appears to be a sexual struggle within himself, as he seems to deal with abuse or homosexuality, hence the turning of the screws in his mind.
         The fact that the story involves a young boy dealing with issues of death and abuse seem to overshadow his villainous acts. Due to this, the audience is more sympathetic than they might have been if Miles' history had taken a different course. The way these issues are publicized in today's society would get a more sympathetic reaction than in the time that the novel takes place.  People in that day in time did not openly discuss any issues of abuse or sexuality. A reader of today would be more emotionally influenced by the tragic events in Miles' life, knowing what may have caused his evil behavior.