It's time to do the twist
"The Turn of the Screw" described how a young governess encountered uncanny incidents in a summer country estate in Essex. It could have been one of the best ghost stories ever written until readers saw the final chapter. The narrator happened to read the manuscript by the governess, who was long dead. This would cast doubt on her mental state.
It was easy to deduce that Henry James wasn't a huge fan of the ghost story, but every known author penned one. In the American's case, he embellished his tales with lost love (or yearning for affection). And then the Old World vs New World (or the Europe of colonial years vs the newly created United States of America). Perhaps this could be due to James's background, but he knew what would make a scary tale. A sudden twist near the end of the story. Take the case of "The Woman in Black", where Susan Hill gradually built up the suspense and fear that kept the inhabitants of Crythin Gifford on the edge of their seats. Readers who have read too many ghost stories would foresee what happened to Arthur Kipps, and they don't mind reading that particular chapter again (and again).
Many authors would add a twist in their stories, which yield favorable results. In the case of ghost stories, it would be different. It could make readers think twice, wondering if they were taken for a ride. For Henry James, it would make his readers examine the motives of his characters. Some would see issues that have something to do with the period. (Many parts of Europe were undergoing a transformation, which would confound American expatriates.) The rest wouldn't make a big deal, as personal issues were nothing more than private matters. Let's have a look at three of James' ghost (short) stories:
The Romance of Certain Old Clothes. Two sisters fell for the same man, and their passing was far from a peaceful one. The younger one married this certain man, even though she sensed that he wouldn't be completely devoted to her. Her older sister couldn't be blamed, which would be the usual case with matters of the heart. James probed into the theme of vengeance, which readers would be at a loss. Did the older sister feel redemption when her younger sister died at childbirth? Did the man feel guilty when he perceived the spirit of his (dead) wife haunting his lover? It seemed like vengeance was a two-way street, but it was really hard to figure out. Emotion can be fickle, if not unreliable.
The Friends of the Friends. A man and a woman, who have never met before, were brought together by a hair-raising experience. Both encountered the ghost of their beloved before their unexpected death. Those who have been studying the paranormal would insist that this won't be an unusual phenomenon, but James may have written this tale for another reason. (Mysticism fascinated Europeans during the 19th century.) In any case, this was the kind of situation that James didn't want to happen to his friends.
The Jolly Corner. Spencer Brydon came back to his hometown after living in Europe for three decades. An old structure, where he used to live, brought back memories. The title of the short story would refer to a spot where Brydon's ghost was reported to be spotted by neighbors. And the man himself saw it. Many readers would be confused, wondering if this tale was more of an exploration of the subconscious state of the human mind. It would be up to them to decide if James was pulling a leg.
