Prologue
The Prologue introduces the story of a Governess who is entrusted with the care of two children by their guardian and uncle. He gives her strict instructions that she is to take full responsibility for them and not to make any further contact with him.
Act One
The Journey
The Governess travels to Bly, the country house where she is to take up her new position.
The Welcome
She is greeted by the housekeeper, Mrs Grose, and the two children, Miles and Flora.
The Letter
The Governess receives a letter from Miles’s school, stating that he has been expelled and will not be welcomed back. Convinced that Miles is innocent, she resolves to dismiss the letter and do nothing further about it.
The Tower
While walking in the grounds of Bly, the Governess is alarmed when she catches sight of a strange man.
The Window
The children play together. As they run off, the Governess again sees the man, staring at her through a window. When she describes him to Mrs Grose, the housekeeper tells her that he is Peter Quint, valet to the children’s guardian, who was killed in a fall the previous winter.
The Lesson
Miles has a precocious grasp of Latin but Flora prefers to study History.
The Lake
While Flora plays, the Governess sees an apparition and becomes convinced that it is the ghost of the previous governess, Miss Jessel.
At Night
The children are discovered out of their beds in the middle of the night.
Act Two
Colloquy and Soliloquy
The Governess is tortured by Quint’s and Miss Jessel’s claims on the children.
The Bells
Mrs Grose, the Governess, Miles and Flora are going to church. Miles asks when he will return to school.
Miss Jessel
The Governess comes across Miss Jessel in the schoolroom.
The Bedroom
The Governess tells Miles that she has written to his guardian.
Quint
Miles is tempted to steal the Governess’s letter before it can be sent.
The Piano
Mrs Grose and the Governess are enchanted by Miles’s performance until they realise that Flora has disappeared.
Flora
At the lake, Flora becomes hysterical and accuses the Governess of cruelty.
Miles
Mrs Grose takes Flora away. Left alone with Miles, the Governess challenges Quint for the last time and the boy collapses in her arms.
