In a literary studies course I took years ago, we happened to read Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw. I remember how it was mentioned that James’ older brother William was a pioneer in the field of psychology and this altered the way in which we read the novel. This interesting application of psychology (at the time when the field itself was being developed) into James’ novels is another facet which makes them modern. What Maisie Knew not only illustrates the negligence and selfishness of adults, but it also showcases the developmental psychology of a child. 

The first few chapters of the novel feature many metaphors used to describe Maisie, these metaphors and the corresponding chapters take place at the time when she’s youngest. Meaning she hasn’t fully formulated her own symbolic thought and in place of her voice, the narrator describes her in a series of metaphors which communicate her position for her. Maisie is, “a deep little porcelain cup in which biting acids could be mixed” (5), a “magic-lantern” (8) and a “little feathered shuttlecock” (12). Each of these metaphors speak to the precarious position Maisie is in within the world of her parents. As a porcelain cup and a feathered shuttlecock, she is a supposed inert empty vessel filled with resentment from each parent, and as a sensitive tool of retribution. As a magic lantern, she is an observer of the world around her. Her observations play a role in her cognitive reasoning. She interestingly recognizes her own limitations at a young age, “she found in her mind a collection of images and echoes to which meanings were attachable-images and echoes kept for her in the childish dusk, the dim closet, the high drawers, like games she wasn’t yet big enough to play” (10). Maisie is aware of what is happening around her, she also realizes that there is meaning behind the actions and that at her very young age she isn’t fully able to be an autonomous participant. 

As the novel progresses, Maisie’s cognition develops and she begins to act. In connection to her parents, “She puzzled out with imperfect signs, but with a prodigious spirit, that she had been a centre of hatred and a messenger of insult” (13). Maisie realizes that she’s being used through the perception of her surroundings. She also develops operational thought in which she perceives the occurrences around her in a logical manner. Instead of being an inert object in a game, Maisie evolves into a participant who harbors and strives for her own needs and desires. One of which is the need to protect herself from her parents, “Her parted lips locked themselves with the determination to be employed no longer. She would forget everything, she would repeat nothing” (13). Not only is Maisie protecting herself from their venomous words through silence, but she is also refusing to be a pawn in her parent’s game.

The most striking instance which showcases Maisie’s inner consciousness is when she’s playing with her doll Lisette. During the scene, Maisie recreates the scenarios of the adults in her life with Lisette being Maisie, “She could only pass on her lessons and study to produce on Lisette the impression of having mysteries in her life” (26). Maisie is attempting to make sense of her life by projecting her inner struggles onto the doll. While, “[She] tried hard to discover where she had been, she discovered a little, but she never discovered all” (27). The reader gains insight on Maisie’s consciousness as she logically tries to make sense of who she is and what place she has in the world. This level of thinking and reasoning is an evolvement from being a tool for her parents spitefulness, to refusing to take part in her parents’ game, and now to attempting to make sense of who she is and where she fits. Maisie’s psychological trajectory is an interesting modern angle which James utilizes to successfully explore the themes of morality and family through a child’s point of view.