Symbolism In The Haunting Of Hill House

The sense of belonging Every individual, at some point in their life, desires a sense of belonging and attention. In the novel The Haunting of Hill House written by Shirley Jackson, the story revolves around Eleanor Vance, the protagonist per se spend most of her younger years hating her mother and sister. As the story unfolds, through her illusionary vision, sisterly bond with Theodora and unwillingly decision to leave hill house, the readers can feel Eleanor’s yearning for a sense of belonging and attention as she joins Dr. Montague in a summer adventure at the Hill House. As the story begins, on Eleanor’s way to the Hill House, she drives on “the road, her intimate friend now… (9) seems to be the most important part of the story because …show more content…
Through this, readers might confirm that she barely lived her life, as for the case of being a caregiver as one would assume. Having said, Eleanor hated her own mother and as she passed away, she also hated her sister (2). One can confirm that Eleanor never felt a sense of family while she growing up. At a very young age, her father passed away, being the cause of why she is part of the group. It must have been hard for her with no father figure. At that point in time, she succumbs her mother and was force to leave with her sister whom she hated the most as mentioned. But, as she reached Hill House, she meets Theodora or commonly known as Theo, a young woman who believes to be possess with supernatural powers and has the ability to name cards, shuffled, as her eyes are closed. The two, Eleanor and Theo, bonded and shared moments and later labels their relationship as cousin or better yet sisters (47). The narrator states: “fear and guilt are sisters” (107) is a vivid representation of Theo and Eleanor, as Theo fears the Hill House, Eleanor carries this guilt with reference to her for not revealing her true identity. Often times, in the novel, Nell, short for Eleanor, would talk to herself, thinking statements to her head without uttering it as she engages with the group. Moreover, surprisingly, as Eleanor contemplates this words in her head, Theo would reiterate what Eleanor is thinking, as if …show more content…
While Eleanor and Theo hears a sound of a child crying outside of their rooms, the two was in their room, setting up their beds. For the obvious reason, as Eleanor fears the nuisance noise, she grabs a hand to only realize and say: “Good God –whose hand was I holding?” (102), that she is starting to have a connection with the Hill House itself. Another really proof to this is the writings on the wall. As the group passes by the long hallway, a massive writing that shouts “HELP ELEANOR COME HOME” (91) suggests to the readers, that out of all people, Eleanor attracts the attention, more than anyone else. Through this, Eleanor feels a sense of connection and gives a “signal” to her that she is part of Hill House. However, Dr. Montague thinks that this is getting out of hand. As Eleanor connects with the house, she is also being link to the supernatural living in it, which is to every paranormal expert is a “no-no” for it can attract spirits to use you since they can lay hands on you for having that connection. For this reason, Dr. Montague tells Eleanor to pack her bags and leave as soon as she can, after breakfast, but Eleanor insist that “I want to stay here” (150). Eleanor keep her reasoning that she needed to stay that she wasn’t afraid after all (151) and that she is “fine now… and happy” (151) to stay at