Conversations

In The Turn of the Screw there are often conversations taking place in which there is a serious miscommunication. For example, when the governess comments that the children's uncle "...seems to like us young and pretty!" Mrs. Grose responds, "it was the way he liked everyone!" (James 12). There is a miscommunication, as they are not talking about the same person any longer. "She [Mrs. Grose] had no sooner spoken indeed than she caught herself up. 'I mean that's his way--the Master's'" (12).

Miscommunications, or even lack of communication is also seen within the film "The Innocents." The children consistently and effectively avoid a variety of subjects. For example, after the governess reads the letter from Miles's school, she says to Flora, "Didn't you say Miles is coming home?" Flora replies by pointing out a spider eating a butterfly. Additionally, when the governess asks Miles if he was happy at school, he replies, "You're far too pretty to be a governess."
Not only does this avoidance suggest that the children have something to hide, but it's also curious that the questions are not pushed further, and instead the children's lack of answers are accepted.