The novel The Haunting of Hill House, written by Shirley Jackson, is about four exceedingly different people all converging in a house known for its haunting past. The protagonist Eleanor Vance runs away from her home to visit the mysterious Hill House in her quest for self-acquisition. Eleanor’s driving motivation for her expedition to Hill House was based on her seclusion from society while taking care of her ill mother and her quest to become more mentally mature. All Eleanor thought was cardinal in life was to be independent. After being her mother’s caretaker for eleven years, Eleanor was ready to be unrestricted. She had spent most of her adult life tending to someone else (her mother), so naturally she wanted to feel sovereign. Eleanor
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This information could be interpreted two different ways. The words on the wall could address the guilt Eleanor feels for leaving her home. She is burdened with remorse of the death of her mother giving her perfect opportunity for her to subconsciously feel hesitant of the journey to and stay at Hill House. Since Eleanor is gifted with the ability to move things with her mind, what if she unknowingly composed a message to her attentive self? Her current emotions could be influencing the way her “powers” manifest. On the other hand, the message could be a cry from her subconscious. It could mean she is vociferating a plea to the others in the house. Perhaps she is not ready for the responsibility of continuing on her own. The message could be a technique she was using to present the occupants of the household with a cry for …show more content…
The fact that she stayed by her mother’s side for eleven years is the reason she has a downfall as an adult. She traveled to Hill House to prove to herself that she is an mature. During the time Eleanor was attending to her mother, she never was given the chance to live an adult life. She was never able to have a relationship and was never able to experience events one would consider important in one’s life.
During her expedition to Hill House, Eleanor stopped in a diner where she ran across a child who wanted her “cup of stars” (p.14). Jackson uses the image of the cup to represent childhood, imagination, and dreams. Everything that is imperative to being a child is represented as the cup of stars. Eleanor is one of those individuals who are still holding on to their cups. She still believes the world is a small place where no wrong could be done. Eleanor is intent on being childish even if she does not realize the way she is acting is reflective of
This information could be interpreted two different ways. The words on the wall could address the guilt Eleanor feels for leaving her home. She is burdened with remorse of the death of her mother giving her perfect opportunity for her to subconsciously feel hesitant of the journey to and stay at Hill House. Since Eleanor is gifted with the ability to move things with her mind, what if she unknowingly composed a message to her attentive self? Her current emotions could be influencing the way her “powers” manifest. On the other hand, the message could be a cry from her subconscious. It could mean she is vociferating a plea to the others in the house. Perhaps she is not ready for the responsibility of continuing on her own. The message could be a technique she was using to present the occupants of the household with a cry for …show more content…
The fact that she stayed by her mother’s side for eleven years is the reason she has a downfall as an adult. She traveled to Hill House to prove to herself that she is an mature. During the time Eleanor was attending to her mother, she never was given the chance to live an adult life. She was never able to have a relationship and was never able to experience events one would consider important in one’s life.
During her expedition to Hill House, Eleanor stopped in a diner where she ran across a child who wanted her “cup of stars” (p.14). Jackson uses the image of the cup to represent childhood, imagination, and dreams. Everything that is imperative to being a child is represented as the cup of stars. Eleanor is one of those individuals who are still holding on to their cups. She still believes the world is a small place where no wrong could be done. Eleanor is intent on being childish even if she does not realize the way she is acting is reflective of