Quint corrupts Jessel who then becomes a social outcast and it is implied that she loses her baby while Quint remains unaffected. Quint is the person with the lowest status in the novel and he succeeds in creating Jessel a social outcast and causing much suffering. Jessel was a “lady,” while Quint was “dreadfully below,” in terms of class. Jessel did not realize Quint’s motive to use her as a puppet, consequently she “didn’t forbid him.” Quint had an infinite amount of time to corrupt Jessel, “she spent hours with him.” Quint was not an innocent lower class man, he was insinuating and very “clever.” Quint did “what he wished” with Jessel and she did nothing to try and prevent the corruption. Jessel “paid for [her ignorance].” She became “infamous,” a social outcast due to her association with Quint. Jessel was wearing black when the governess first saw her. The governess describes Jessel as if she was “in mourning.” …show more content…
Flora is described in the beginning as “angelic” and a “great childish light,” it as if she is a divine angel. Flora also starts out as a very submissive character and she felt it was “necessary that she should follow [the governess].” Jessel, like Quint had a limitless amount of time to influence and adulterate Flora’s purity. Grose reports to the governess that while Miles was with Quint “Miss Flora was with [Jessel]”. Once Jessel had been around Flora, it was inevitable that Flora would change for the worse. Flora becomes rebellious as she rows out to an island, purposely not informing the Governess about her little “adventure.” The governess sees a pair of oars “safely drawn up” a long the shore of the island which indicates that Flora gained the strength to row across the water. It is implausible that Flora, an eight year old girl would have the muscle to get to the island without some help. This shows that Jessel had a hand in escorting Flora to the