Isolation/Disconnection
How does Eleanor feel after her first day in the house?
She feels apart from everyone else.
What two female characters have felt a connection with each other?
Theodora and Eleanor connected at the picnic.
How do the personalities of the others make Eleanor feel like an outcast at times?
They are more outgoing than her.
What room has a cold spot?
The nursery!
Why does the house "gaslight" the characters by showing phenomena to only one person at a time?
It forces them to doubt their own sanity and causes them to distrust each other.
What two characters cause Eleanor to feel left out?
Luke and Theo's interactions cause Eleanor to feel left out.
Why does Eleanor connect to the house?
They are both social outcasts who have spent years disconnected from society.
Describe the incident that led to Eleanor’s sister viewing her as "unreliable" or "childish".
The incident where a shower of stones fell on Eleanor’s childhood home; she was blamed for it, making her sister distrust her.
Hill House was based off of what real life house?
Borley Rectory.
How does the house separate the characters from each other?
It creates psychological fear.
How is the house creating a sense of isolation between members?
The confusing layout separates characters.
Why do Luke and Theodora naturally match?
They both have a similar, flirtatious personality.
What is the significance of the phrases Eleanor keeps repeating?
They can be interpreted as senses of isolation.
What did the sick voice in Eleanor's head say to her during page 36?
“Get away from here, get away."
What form of manipulation tactic did Theodora use on Eleanor?
Theo would sweet talk Eleanor, then repeatedly say backhanded things to her.
Why do Theodora’s actions cause Eleanor to feel disconnected?
Theo tries to fit in with Luke and Dr. Montague, making Eleanor feel alone in her feelings.
Why do Luke and Dr. Montague connect so easily?
They have shared interests such as drinking and chess.
How does the characterization of Hill House add depth to the story
It gives personification to the house, adding a source of emotion.
Dr. Montague insists that Hill House is "vile" and "diseased," but what does he hypothesize the house needs to trigger its most intense manifestations?
A psychic "anchor" or a susceptible mind (specifically Eleanor).
By changing the layout of the halls and doors, what does the house effectively destroy for the characters?
Their sense of direction.
Why does Eleanor isolate from the group at the library?
She felt something bad that nobody else sensed.
How does Hill House connect to the Lion from the poem Ego?
They both represent an emotion that's hidden yet present.
Why does the house’s past create tension in the air?
Its checkered past causes a natural rift between the characters.
Why does the house feel "diseased" to Dr. Montague?
Because it was built by an architect who clearly intended it to be confusing and hostile to regular people.
How does Dr. Montague manipulate the group into staying when they are clearly terrified?
He dismisses their experiences, causing the group to doubt that they ever happened.