Question

What does the governess mean when she says, "What she [Flora] and I had virtually said to each other was that pretexts were useless now"?

Answer 1

In 'The Turn of the Screw', the governess and Flora communicate telepathically and understand that pretexts are useless in dealing with the supernatural events happening in the house.

Step-by-step explanation:

The quote you mentioned is from the governess in Henry James' novel The Turn of the Screw. When she says, 'What she and I had virtually said to each other was that pretexts were useless now,' the governess is referring to the conversation she had with Flora, the young girl she is taking care of. The governess and Flora have a telepathic connection and can communicate without speaking. In this particular instance, the governess believes that they have reached an understanding that there is no need for pretense or excuses anymore. They both know that something supernatural is happening in the house, and pretexts won't help them deal with it.

Answer 2

The governess's statement about pretexts being useless now signifies a turning point where she and Flora acknowledge the futility of continued deception in their relationship.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the governess says, "What she [Flora] and I had virtually said to each other was that pretexts were useless now," she is articulating a moment of unspoken understanding that both she and Flora acknowledge the pointlessness of making excuses or maintaining pretenses in their situation. This typically suggests a shift in their relationship dynamic, where both parties are dropping their guards and facing the reality of their circumstances without the veils of deception or false rationalization.

In the context of a story, such a declaration often marks a critical moment of truth between characters, indicating that the parties involved are on the cusp of confronting some pressing truth or issue. Whether this leads to a resolution or further conflict depends on the subsequent actions of the characters, but it is clear that any semblance of pretense they had maintained up to that point has been discarded.