In the course of their investigation, they slowly discover the dark secrets of Hill House and its history of violence and terror. Through her masterful use of suspense, horror, and psychological terror, Jackson has crafted a truly unforgettable story that’s only grown in popularity in recent years.
Themes
Family
Throughout the novel, the reader is presented with multiple examples of how familial relationships can be strained and challenged by supernatural forces. For example, the complicated history of the Crain family (who built the home). The house itself plays a role in their suffering and is fueled by Hugh Crain’s cruelty. This theme is further explored through characters like Dr. Montague and Eleanor, who struggle with familial relationships while in the home.
Fear
Fear plays a major role in motivating and informing the characters’ actions. The idea of being scared of the unknown and the supernatural forces at play in Hill House creates an atmosphere of suspense and dread. Even in moments of safety, characters like Eleanor and Luke struggle with their inner fears and anxieties, making the reader even more aware of how powerful and overwhelming fear can be.
The Supernatural
The supernatural elements of Hill House are what makes this novel so interesting to read and what fueled its many adaptions for the screen. Readers are likely to find themselves intrigued by the vaguely described features of the home and the growing dread the characters experience, particularly Eleanor Vance.
Key Moments in The Haunting of Hill House
- Dr. Montague rents Hill House and invites the other three main characters to the home.
- Eleanor arrives first, followed by Theodora, Luke, and Dr. Montague.
- Dr. Montague tells the group about the home’s history.
- They experience a series of unexplainable phenomena, including banging on the walls, people and animals running in the hallways, and mysterious messages on the walls.
- The group becomes suspicious of Eleanor’s role in the home.
- Mrs. Montague arrives at the home determined to do what her husband hasn’t been able to do—record the ghost activity.
- Eleanor realizes she is in tune with the home in a way that the others are not.
- Eleanor is forced to leave the home for her own sanity.
- She drives away from the home and steers her car into a tree.
- Dr. Montague publishes his findings about the home, and no one believes him.
Tone and Style
Jackson masterfully crafts a tone of eeriness and tension throughout the novel. In particular, Jackson uses an atmosphere of dread and impending danger to slowly build suspense throughout the story. The sense of dread is further enhanced by Jackson’s use of foreshadowing, which often hints at the sinister events to come.
Jackson also employs an array of literary techniques to create a dream-like atmosphere. For instance, she often uses symbolism to convey a sense of mysteriousness and otherworldly horror. Additionally, Jackson often juxtaposes beauty and innocence with terror and violence. This only serves to heighten the terror.
The style of ‘The Haunting of Hill House‘ is characterized by its lack of exposition. Rather than explicitly spelling out the details of the plot and the events that occur in Hill House, Jackson instead relies on slow reveals and subtle hints about what is really going on in Hill House. This enhances the mystery of the novel and allows the reader to piece together the events of the story from their own imagination.
Symbols
Hill House
Hill House is the central symbol in ‘The Haunting of Hill House,‘ representing a menacing and foreboding presence throughout the novel. Hill House serves as a physical representation of the psychological trauma that the characters experience throughout their stay. For example, Hill House’s windows are described as “eyes” that watch the characters, which conveys a sense of dread and danger. In addition, the house itself is described as alive and growing, a sign of the psychological hold it has on the characters.
Doors
One of the creepiest parts of Hill House is the way it was designed. The architecture is extremely confusing, making it very easy to lose one’s way as one tries to find a specific room. The home is also filled with doors that open and close by themselves, symbolizing the character’s access to information about the home and their ability to capture the supernatural phenomena occurring within.
Light/Dark
Light and dark are used as recurring symbols throughout ‘The Haunting of Hill House‘, often to emphasize a mood or feeling. For instance, darkness is associated with fear and dread, while the light is associated with comfort and hope. In addition, different colors are also used to represent different characters’ emotions. For example, green is used to represent Eleanor’s envy and insecurity, while blue is used to represent her sense of peace and belonging. By using color symbolism, Shirley Jackson is able to create an atmosphere of terror and suspense throughout the novel.
FAQs
What kind of novel is The Haunting of Hill House?
The story of ‘The Haunting of Hill House‘ is a gothic horror novel by Shirley Jackson, first published in 1959. It follows the story of four main characters who visit an old, abandoned mansion called Hill House and experience paranormal events.
What is the importance of The Haunting of Hill House?
‘The Haunting of Hill House‘ is considered a classic of the horror genre, praised for its exploration of psychological terror and human nature. It has been adapted into multiple movies, television series, and stage plays.
Is The Haunting of Hill House scary?
Yes, ‘The Haunting of Hill House‘ is often considered to be one of the scariest novels ever written. It deals with themes such as grief, loss, guilt, and insanity. The book’s suspenseful atmosphere and eerie setting make it a gripping read.
What is the genre of The Haunting of Hill House?
‘The Haunting of Hill House‘ is a gothic horror novel, often regarded as one of the best books in its genre. It combines elements of supernatural horror, psychological terror, and suspenseful drama.
