Also, we were never shown what kind of influence they had on children, especially Quint on the boy. Was he corrupting him? I don't know how it is in the novella though. I believe all we see in the film are Kerr's interpretations, because the film is kinda shown from her point of view and she's in every frame if I remember correctly. She was obviously obsessed with corruption and a fear of losing innocence. I think that's the underlying theme of the movie hinted in the title. Ffs, she interpreted children's whispering and sharing secrets, basically playing, as something sinister and evil.

I heard that her character in the novel is a lot younger and thus inexperienced and still sheltered in a way. But I think the fact that in the movie it's played by an older actress makes her behavior all the more disturbing.