Podcast
Questions and Answers
How long has Hill House stood?
How long has Hill House stood?
80 years.
From what did Dr. Montague's intentions regarding Hill House derive?
From what did Dr. Montague's intentions regarding Hill House derive?
Nineteenth-century ghost hunters.
How many letters did Dr. Montague send out to his participants and how many replied?
How many letters did Dr. Montague send out to his participants and how many replied?
He sent out 12 letters and got four replies.
Who did Eleanor live with after her mother died?
Who did Eleanor live with after her mother died?
For how many days did the showers of stones fall on Eleanor's house?
For how many days did the showers of stones fall on Eleanor's house?
Who are the owners of Hill House?
Who are the owners of Hill House?
What does Eleanor steal from her sister?
What does Eleanor steal from her sister?
Who told Eleanor 'I'll be praying for you, dearie'?
Who told Eleanor 'I'll be praying for you, dearie'?
Dr. Montague wrote directions for Eleanor to Hill House; where does he advise her not to stop and ask for directions?
Dr. Montague wrote directions for Eleanor to Hill House; where does he advise her not to stop and ask for directions?
Who opens/is in charge of the gates at Hill House?
Who opens/is in charge of the gates at Hill House?
What was Eleanor thinking when she was face to face with Hill House?
What was Eleanor thinking when she was face to face with Hill House?
Why does the girl from the diner in Hillsdale say nobody goes to this town to visit?
Why does the girl from the diner in Hillsdale say nobody goes to this town to visit?
Who is Carrie?
Who is Carrie?
Who did Eleanor, her sister, and their mother have a feud with?
Who did Eleanor, her sister, and their mother have a feud with?
On what condition did Mrs. Sanderson let Dr. Montague rent Hill House?
On what condition did Mrs. Sanderson let Dr. Montague rent Hill House?
What song lyric was Eleanor thinking of when she arrived at Hill House?
What song lyric was Eleanor thinking of when she arrived at Hill House?
What color is Eleanor's room? Theo's?
What color is Eleanor's room? Theo's?
When do Mrs. and Mr. Dudley leave Hill House?
When do Mrs. and Mr. Dudley leave Hill House?
Who arrives shortly after Eleanor?
Who arrives shortly after Eleanor?
What emotion does Theodora recognize right away in Eleanor?
What emotion does Theodora recognize right away in Eleanor?
Which character went to a private school?
Which character went to a private school?
With what does Theodora compare the first day in Hill House?
With what does Theodora compare the first day in Hill House?
Why did Theodora and Eleanor dress in bright colors?
Why did Theodora and Eleanor dress in bright colors?
What is located behind Hill House and why is it relevant?
What is located behind Hill House and why is it relevant?
What does Theodora think she and Eleanor are?
What does Theodora think she and Eleanor are?
Eleanor sees a shadow of something; what does Theodora say it is?
Eleanor sees a shadow of something; what does Theodora say it is?
What did Eleanor say would infuriate her mother?
What did Eleanor say would infuriate her mother?
Why do Eleanor and Theo make jokes about Mrs. Dudley's words about leaving at night?
Why do Eleanor and Theo make jokes about Mrs. Dudley's words about leaving at night?
What colors were Eleanor and Theo wearing?
What colors were Eleanor and Theo wearing?
What does Eleanor say about Luke?
What does Eleanor say about Luke?
What does Luke say he is?
What does Luke say he is?
Why does everyone get lost in Hill House?
Why does everyone get lost in Hill House?
Who does Theodora think is the only surviving member of the family who Hill House belongs to?
Who does Theodora think is the only surviving member of the family who Hill House belongs to?
How did the last person who tried to leave Hill House die?
How did the last person who tried to leave Hill House die?
Why was Hill House built?
Why was Hill House built?
Who built Hill House?
Who built Hill House?
How did Hugh Crain's second wife die?
How did Hugh Crain's second wife die?
Who got Hill House after the death of Hugh Crain?
Who got Hill House after the death of Hugh Crain?
Who won the house in court after Miss Crain died?
Who won the house in court after Miss Crain died?
Why did the companion commit suicide in Hill House?
Why did the companion commit suicide in Hill House?
What did Dr. Montague say not to do when he went looking for a chess board around the house?
What did Dr. Montague say not to do when he went looking for a chess board around the house?
In the middle of the night what did Eleanor think was moving?
In the middle of the night what did Eleanor think was moving?
Why did Dr. Montague keep his room door slightly open?
Why did Dr. Montague keep his room door slightly open?
Study Notes
Hill House Overview
- Hill House has stood for 80 years and is known for its eerie reputation.
- Constructed as a family home by Hugh Crain.
Dr. Montague's Research
- Dr. Montague's interests in Hill House stem from the activities of nineteenth-century ghost hunters.
- He reached out to 12 potential participants for his study, receiving only four replies.
Characters and Background
- Eleanor Vance is introduced as a woman living with her sister, brother-in-law, and niece after her mother's death.
- She experienced a three-day ordeal of stones falling on her house, contributing to her tumultuous background.
- Luke Sanderson is introduced as the family member present in Hill House per Mrs. Sanderson's conditions for renting the property.
Journey to Hill House
- Eleanor steals her sister's car to travel to Hill House, signaling her desire to escape her current life.
- Dr. Montague advises her not to stop in Hillsdale for directions, hinting at the town's isolation.
- A local diner patron comments that nobody visits Hillsdale since there is "nothing to do."
Initial Impressions of Hill House
- Upon arrival, Eleanor feels an overwhelming urge to leave Hill House immediately.
- The character Mr. Dudley is the gatekeeper to Hill House, enhancing the property's secluded atmosphere.
Key Relationships
- The first to arrive after Eleanor is Theodora, who immediately senses Eleanor's fear.
- Eleanor's sister is Carrie, and there is a notable feud with the neighborhood.
Environment and Atmosphere
- Hill House is described in dreary terms, with comparisons to the first day of school, made by Theodora.
- Both Eleanor and Theodora dress in bright colors to combat the dreary feel of the house.
Peculiarities of Hill House
- The house's layout confuses its residents, as rooms are situated inside one another.
- Eleanor experiences moments of fright, including a perceived moving doorknob at night, despite believing she locked it.
Historical Context
- Hugh Crain's second wife met a tragic end due to a fall, adding to the house's haunted aura.
- After Hugh Crain's death, the house passed to his oldest daughter, who later died, leading to court disputes over ownership.
Tragic Outcomes
- The last person to leave Hill House died tragically after his horse bolted, showcasing the dangers associated with the estate.
- A companion of the home’s last resident committed suicide, driven by guilt and fear, contributing to the legends surrounding Hill House.
Daily Life at Hill House
- The menial structure of daily life includes breakfast served at 9 am, adding a mundanity amidst the supernatural suspense.
- Eleanor and Theo's dynamic begins to form, with humor being a means to confront their fears about the house.
Visual Details
- Eleanor's room is blue, while Theo's is green, indicating their differing personalities and emotional states.
- They both wear bright clothing — red and yellow — to symbolize their intentions to bring color into the muted environment of Hill House.
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