Well, a governess novel usually centers around a woman who is employed to teach and care for children in a privileged family. It might explore her relationships with the family members, her challenges, and her personal growth. These novels often offer insights into social class and gender dynamics of the time.
Most likely, it isn't. Usually, such titles indicate a work of fiction crafted for entertainment rather than being rooted in truth. There might be elements inspired by real-life situations, but as a whole, it's not a true story.
The main characteristic is often the central figure of the governess. She is usually in a position of relative powerlessness yet moral authority within the household she serves. There is also a focus on the social hierarchies and class differences, as the governess is neither fully part of the servant class nor the upper - class family she works for.
It could be about various things. Maybe it's about the life and experiences of a governess. For example, it might focus on her relationship with the family she works for, the challenges she faces in teaching the children, or her own personal growth while in that role.
Typically, famous governess novels often focus on the relationship between the governess and the family she works for. There's usually a power dynamic at play. For example, in 'Jane Eyre', Jane has to navigate her relationship with Mr. Rochester, who is her employer and also her love interest. Another characteristic is the exploration of the governess's own identity and her place in society. In these novels, the governess is often in a liminal position, not quite part of the upper class but also not of the lower class.
It could refer to a female figure in fiction who has a governing or controlling role. For example, in some period dramas set in Victorian times, a governess in a story might be seen as a kind of 'governess of fiction' in the sense that she governs the narrative within the fictional household she is part of. She may influence the relationships between characters, the development of the plot in relation to the family she works for, and the overall atmosphere of the fictional world created in that story.
One benefit is that it allows her to express her creativity. By telling a story, she can bring to life her imagination and share unique ideas and perspectives. Another benefit could be that it helps her connect with others. Through storytelling, she can engage her audience, whether it's the children she's in charge of or other people in the household. It can also be a form of self - expression, enabling her to convey her emotions and experiences in a more palatable way.
Henry James. His works sometimes feature governess characters. He delved into the psychological aspects of the governess's situation, like in 'The Turn of the Screw' where the governess's perception and the strange happenings in the household are central to the story.