The Haunting of Hill House Flashcards

Questions and Answers

How is everyone after the sleepless night?

Everyone is surprisingly calm.

Who is especially calm?

Eleanor

What does Eleanor plan to do when she leaves Hill House?

Eleanor plans to live with Theo.

What does Theo say to this?

Theo says that they will be friends, but that Eleanor cannot live with her. Signup and view all the answers

Does Eleanor give in to Theo's refusal?

False Signup and view all the answers

Why does Eleanor eavesdrop on people's conversations?

She thinks they are talking about her and wonders when people are going to start talking about her. Signup and view all the answers

Another walk; who does she go with this time?

Eleanor goes for a walk with both Luke and Theo. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Eleanor stay behind and wander away?

She stays behind and wanders away to flirt with Luke. Signup and view all the answers

What happens as Eleanor is walking?

She begins to get scared. Signup and view all the answers

What does she see and hear?

She hears a ghost calling her name. Signup and view all the answers

What does Eleanor realize about her existence?

Eleanor has completely lost touch with reality. Signup and view all the answers

What actions does Eleanor take when she loses touch with reality?

She wakes at night, bangs on doors, and climbs to the balcony. Signup and view all the answers

Who saves Eleanor from unconscious suicide?

Luke Signup and view all the answers

Describe the gang's last day at Hill House.

They have breakfast, the doctor tells Eleanor to go home, Eleanor admits she has no home, and drives into a tree. Signup and view all the answers

What are quotes from Chapter Nine?

'Mother,' she said aloud. 'Come along,' a voice answered. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Eleanor Vance?

Eleanor Vance is a lonely, single woman who lives with her sister and brother-in-law. Her mother had recently died from sickness. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Theodora?

Theodora is a fashionable, single woman who lives with a 'friend' and seems to have keen psychic abilities. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Dr. Montague?

Dr. Montague is the leader of the experiment and aspires to publish a book about the supernatural. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Luke Sanderson?

Luke Sanderson is the single, carefree nephew of the owner of Hill House, destined to inherit it. Signup and view all the answers

What is the premise of The Haunting of Hill House?

Four people are spending time in an old mansion where they will try to determine what makes Hill House so evil following an invitation from Dr. Montague. Signup and view all the answers

What is Eleanor's 'Gift'?

Eleanor possesses psychic ability, which she unknowingly activated as a child when stones fell on her house for three days. Signup and view all the answers

What do we learn from meeting Luke?

Luke is a young man, happy to interact with the two women, and is polite, friendly, and flirts a bit. Signup and view all the answers

What can Luke and Dr. Montague both agree on?

They both agree that although Hill House is creepy and old, it does not frighten them. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the writing on the wall?

The writing on the wall shows that whatever is lurking in Hill House is getting more bold. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Mrs. Montague?

Mrs. Montague is Dr. Montague's wife who arrives with Arthur and has a strong interest in communicating with spirits. Signup and view all the answers

What is a planchette?

A planchette is a method of communicating with the afterlife, similar to a Ouija board, that spells out answers automatically. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does the planchette's message have on everyone?

It unsettles everyone except Arthur and Mrs. Montague. Signup and view all the answers

Where does Mrs. Montague go to sleep that night?

Mrs. Montague goes to sleep in the nursery. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about the nursery?

Dr. Montague claims that the nursery is the 'heart of the house.' Signup and view all the answers

Eleanor feels scared by the events that happened the night before.

False Signup and view all the answers

What are the questions Eleanor asks the planchette?

Who are you? Nell who? What do you want? Do you want to go home? Where is your mother? Where is your home? Signup and view all the answers

How does the noise from the house affect Eleanor?

Eleanor feels like she should surrender to the house. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when Eleanor and Theo come to the clearing?

They find a ghostly picnic. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Characters

Eleanor Vance: A lonely 32-year-old woman who cared for her sick mother and now lives with her sister's family. She seeks adventure and a sense of belonging.
Theodora: A fashionable, single woman with psychic abilities, living with a "friend." She becomes a significant companion to Eleanor.
Dr. Montague: The leader of a supernatural investigation at Hill House, aiming to write a book on his findings.
Luke Sanderson: Carefree nephew of the Hill House owner, destined to inherit the property.

Premise of the Story

Focuses on four individuals at Hill House: Dr. Montague, Eleanor, Theodora, and Luke.
They investigate the supernatural occurrences at the mansion, which has a history of being evil and unsettling.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter One:
- Introduces Eleanor in detail; she feels lost and seeks an adventure.
Chapter Two:
- Eleanor's initial experiences at Hill House, meeting Mr. and Mrs. Dudley. The creepy atmosphere unsettles her and Theodora.
Chapter Three:
- Eleanor grapples with unique experiences, including her psychic experiences and encounters with the house's eerie presence.

Hill House History

Built by Hugh Crain, who faced multiple family tragedies within the house, contributing to its dark reputation.
History includes the untimely deaths of three wives and subsequent hauntings.

Significant Themes and Literary Devices

Psychic Connections: Eleanor's psychic ability suggests deeper ties between her and the supernatural events within Hill House.
Isolation and Belonging: Characters grapple with feelings of loneliness as they seek connection amidst the eerie backdrop of the house.

Important Events

Eleanor's "gift" is hinted through childhood experiences of psychokinesis.
The house’s influence grows stronger, impacting relationships among the characters.
Tension builds as Eleanor perceives intensifying supernatural happenings linked to her presence.

Quotes

Reflect key themes of isolation, fear, and the house’s power. Notable quotes highlight feelings of belonging and the sinister nature of Hill House.

The Planchette Incident

Mrs. Montague’s interest in the spirits leads to an unsettling session with the planchette which reveals Eleanor's connection to the house, stirring tension among the group.

Relationships and Dynamics

Eleanor’s feelings for Luke shift as she realizes his flirtation may not be genuine.
Tension rises between Eleanor and Theodora, leading to characters clashing and redefining their relationships.
Eleanor's increasing obsession with the house blurs her perception of reality.

Haunting Elements

Occurrences of knocking, writing on walls, and cold spots symbolize the house's growing dominance, affecting the characters' psychological states.
Various supernatural phenomena serve to test the bonds between the characters and reveal their vulnerabilities.

Climax Points

The exploration of Hill House pushes characters into confronting their fears.
Eleanor’s psychological unraveling becomes evident through her hallucinations and interactions with the house.

Conclusion of Key Narrative Arcs

The ever-present influence of Hill House leads to tragic choices, shaping the characters' fates and relationships with each other.
Eleanor’s journey crescendos as she confronts her identity and place within Hill House's eerie presence.### Eleanor's Isolation
Eleanor exists in a self-created reality, indicating a disconnect from her surroundings.
Her isolation amplifies as she feels unheard by those around her, experiencing unique perceptions.

Descent into Madness

Experiences nocturnal wanderings, desperate actions like banging on doors for attention.
Climbs to the library balcony after feeling compelled by ghosts, signifying a break from sanity.
A near-suicidal attempt highlights her fragile mental state, which is interrupted by Luke.

Luke's Role

Luke intervenes and saves Eleanor from her unconscious suicide attempt, showcasing his protective instincts.

Final Day at Hill House

The group shares a final breakfast together, providing a last sense of normalcy.
The Doctor announces Eleanor’s need to return home, revealing her lack of a true home.
Eleanor's desperation grows as she expresses her desire to stay at Hill House indefinitely.
The tragic culmination occurs when she crashes her car into a tree, suggesting a final act of surrender.

Haunting and Legacy

Eleanor’s death implies she may haunt Hill House, finally achieving a sense of belonging.

Key Quotes from Chapter Nine

Eleanor's dialogue with her mother's voice, symbolizing her longing for connection.
“I dare you” reflects her challenge to the house and her desire for acceptance.
“I have broken the spell” indicates her perceived liberation and claim over Hill House.
Assertions of ownership and belonging depict Eleanor’s unresolved attachment to the house.
“Silence lay steadily” suggests the eerie, solitary atmosphere of Hill House, amplifying its haunting nature.

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Description

Review key characters from Shirley Jackson's 'The Haunting of Hill House'. This set of flashcards provides insights into the lives of Eleanor Vance, Theodora, and Dr. Montague. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of the novel's central figures.