Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Turn of the Screw. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Miles dies in the governess's arms after she forces him to name Peter Quint. The book leaves open whether the ghosts were real or imagined.
Quick facts
– Book: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
– First published: 1898
– Type: A gothic novella
– Tone of the ending: Disturbing
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
A young governess takes charge of two children, Miles and Flora, at a country estate. She sees ghosts that she believes are the dead servants Peter Quint and Miss Jessel. She thinks they are corrupting the children.
What Happens at the End of The Turn of the Screw
The governess confronts Flora, who denies seeing anything, and the girl is taken away by the housekeeper. The governess then presses Miles to confess, and he says Quint's name. She sees Quint at the window, Miles cries out, and he dies in her arms.
The Ending in Five Quick Points
- The governess confronts Flora, who denies seeing anything, and the girl is taken away by the housekeeper.
- The governess then presses Miles to confess, and he says Quint's name.
- She sees Quint at the window, Miles cries out, and he dies in her arms.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Miles | Dies in the governess's arms |
| Flora | Sent away with Mrs. Grose |
| The governess | Left in shock |
What the Ending Means
The ending leaves the question of the ghosts unanswered. It shows how fear and certainty can destroy innocence.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers believe the ghosts are real, while others think the governess imagined them. Both readings are supported by the text.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Innocence. The final pages are where this idea lands hardest, and rereading the last chapters with innocence in mind changes how the ending reads.
Ambiguity. Henry James uses the closing events to show what ambiguity costs or achieves, rather than simply stating it.
Repression. The ending gives repression a final shape, which is why readers often point to it when they explain what the book is really about.
The supernatural. Even in the last scenes, the supernatural keeps shaping the choices the characters make.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Turn of the Screw as Disturbing. That reaction usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Henry James to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1961 film The Innocents leans toward a psychological reading, while later adaptations lean toward the supernatural.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Turn of the Screw with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about innocence, and do you agree with Henry James's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- After finishing, would you describe the book as disturbing, or would you choose a different word?
Discussion Prompts by Theme
- Innocence: Which moment in the last chapters made innocence feel most real to you, and did it change how you saw earlier scenes?
- Ambiguity: How does Henry James use the closing events to say something about ambiguity, and do you agree with that view?
- Repression: If you could ask a character about repression at the very end, who would you ask, and what would you say?
- The supernatural: Does the ending leave the supernatural resolved, or is it something that stays unsettled after the last page?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces innocence and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Henry James leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Turn of the Screw often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Turn of the Screw earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
- Would you recommend The Turn of the Screw to a friend who dislikes spoilers, or to one who loves a discussion?
Check price of The Turn of the Screw on Amazon
Books to Read After The Turn of the Screw
- The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
- Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Related: The Turn of the Screw by Henry James: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Turn of the Screw You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Turn of the Screw?
Miles dies in the governess's arms after she forces him to name Peter Quint. The book leaves open whether the ghosts were real or imagined.
Is the ending of The Turn of the Screw happy or sad?
Most readers call it Disturbing.
What does the ending of The Turn of the Screw mean?
The ending leaves the question of the ghosts unanswered.
Is the ending of The Turn of the Screw the same in the adaptation?
The 1961 film The Innocents leans toward a psychological reading, while later adaptations lean toward the supernatural.
Who should read The Turn of the Screw before reading the ending explained?
Anyone who plans to read the book, because this post gives away the whole ending.