The Haunting Of Hill House

Discuss Eleanor’s relationship with her mother. Why does Jackson refrain from revealing details, instead choosing to include only vague references? Is Eleanor’s mother truly a presence in the house, or is Eleanor suffering from grief, regret, or guilt? Does the novel suggest the two are mutually exclusive?

Dr. Montague suggests on several occasions that the only danger they face is within themselves. This theory would mean that Eleanor is responsible for, or at least capable of preventing, her own destruction. However, Dr. Montague proves inefficient in his studies: He never comes to any conclusions about Hill House, and his paper is ill received. Are we to trust Dr. Montague’s assessment? Is Eleanor truly the source of her own destruction, or is Dr. Montague’s insistence that “[t]he only damage done is by the victim to himself” (102) a form of gaslighting? 

Is anyone in the novel happy? What do characters search for, and are they effective in achieving their desires? What does your answer suggest about the message of the novel?

Are Luke, Theodora, and Dr. Montague right to accuse Eleanor of trying to be the center of attention or of overreacting? Is Eleanor right to be frustrated with them? 

Hill House seems inhabited by stifling maternal and paternal forces. How do these forces differ? How are men and women portrayed in the novel? 

What is the effect and meaning of the fact that readers never truly know what forces reside in Hill House? 

What do you think Theodora saw when she looked back at the ghostly picnic and told Eleanor to run? Why do we never find out for sure? 

Are Luke and Theodora likeable? Are they selfish and shallow, or merely good people who are heavily flawed?