The oddness and oppressiveness of the house's design are said to resemble those of Hugh's personality. He was married three times and all three wives died his daughters grew up in the house but were then sent away. He was a domineering figure who built Hill House as a country home for his wife and two daughters. Eleanor's Motherĭead before the events of the novel take place, Eleanor's mother seems to be a domineering, critical, and selfish woman who oppressed her daughter.

Carrie VanceĮleanor hates her sister, who is a selfish, critical woman who does not want to allow Eleanor much autonomy or individuality.

He makes trouble for the visitors trying to get into the gate and warns them that they will wish they could have never come inside. Dudley is a gruff, rude, and difficult man. She is a stern, judgmental, and emotionless woman who evinces disapproval of the party. Dudley cooks, cleans, and otherwise maintains Hill House, though she will not stay after dark. He may be involved romantically with Theodora, or even perhaps Eleanor it is not clear. He is the Sanderson family representative for the property and is intrigued by Dr. Luke is a roguish young man, albeit a perceptive and generous one. She may have a romantic relationship with Luke, but it is unclear. She is kind but also selfish, and prone to uttering snarky criticisms, particularly of Eleanor. It is hinted that she may be a lesbian, as she lives with a 'friend' with whom she has a tempestuous relationship. TheodoraĪn ebullient, charming, and beautiful young woman, Theodora apparently possesses some telepathic powers. He is kind but occasionally stern, and indulges the other three like they are children. Montague is very interested in the supernatural and, like nineteenth-century ghost hunters, secures assistants to stay with him at his haunted house of choice: Hill House. MontagueĪ married, middle-aged professor with an anthropology degree, Dr. Eleanor has a scare in the library tower and drives her car into a tree at the end of the novel, killing herself. The house singles her out and she begins to 'dissolve' into it she clings to both it and Theodora, to whom she announces she will live with after their summer here. The more time she spends in the house though, the more she seems to lose her grip on reality. She sees her invitation to Hill House as a chance to really live her life for the first time, and glories in her new companions and the experience even though the house itself frightens her. She is introverted, awkward, dreamy, and full of suppressed emotions.

She lives with her sister, brother-in-law, and niece and despises them as she despised her just-deceased mother. Eleanor is 32 when she first comes to Hill House, having spent most of her adult life caring for her demanding, invalid mother.

The haunting hill house book