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This character is the first to experience strange happenings in Hill House, and is most disturbed by the idea that the house is alive.
Who is Eleanor Vance?
In Chapter 4, Eleanor begins to notice unsettling things in the house, including the mysterious force that seems to push her around. This incident takes place while she is in this specific room.
What is the sitting room?
This person, who initially dismissed the house’s supernatural occurrences, begins to doubt their own skepticism in Chapter 5, as they witness disturbing events firsthand.
Who is Dr. Montague?
In Chapter 5, Eleanor begins hearing this eerie sound, which seems to echo throughout the house. It intensifies the sense of dread she feels.
What is laughter or chattering sound?
In Chapter 4, Eleanor experiences this unsettling phenomenon while sitting in the drawing room, which makes her feel as though the house is alive and watching her.
What is the feeling of being pushed or the sensation of being trapped by the house?
During Chapter 4, Eleanor perceives this peculiar sensation, which is unlike anything she has ever felt before, as she wanders through the hallways of Hill House.
What is the feeling of being followed?
As Chapter 5 progresses, Eleanor becomes increasingly obsessed with this idea, which makes her question whether she is truly losing control or if Hill House is manipulating her.
What is the idea that the house is "alive" or that it has a will of its own?
In Chapter 6, Eleanor experiences this terrifying moment that solidifies her belief that Hill House is exerting its malevolent influence over her.
What is the door slamming shut on Eleanor in the night?
In Chapter 6, Eleanor becomes more attuned to this strange occurrence that seems to happen only to her, deepening her isolation and fear.
What is hearing whispers or feeling the house "speak" to her?
In Chapter 6, this character experiences a strong bond with Eleanor, but also exhibits a certain level of protectiveness, leading to tensions between them.
Who is Theodora?
By the end of Chapter 6, Eleanor's mental state is heavily influenced by the events in Hill House, leading her to feel that she can never leave.
What is the growing obsession or desire to remain in the house?
In Chapter 4, Eleanor explores this strange feature of the house, which only amplifies her sense of unease due to its confusing and labyrinthine design.
What is the "maze-like" structure of the house?
This term describes the intense feelings of fear and anxiety that Eleanor experiences throughout Chapter 4, further solidifying her belief that Hill House is more than just a house.
In Chapter 6, this specific architectural feature of Hill House becomes an eerie focal point, symbolizing the house’s unnatural and confusing nature.
What is the spiral staircase?
The events in these chapters suggest that this theme, representing the pull of the house on the minds and emotions of the characters, is a central force in the novel.
What is "isolation" or "psychological terror"?