Haunting of Hill House Chapter II Note: Pages reflected on this document may not…

Haunting of Hill House
Chapter II
Note: Pages reflected on this document may not match up with the PDF.
Knowledge
Who else is there when Eleanor enters Hill House?
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What color room is Eleanor staying in?
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Who arrives after Eleanor?
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When does Mrs. Dudley set dinner and leave? When does she set out breakfast?
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What room is Theodora staying in? What is notable about this room?
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When exploring the woods, where do the women go?
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What scares the women? Do you believe Theodora?
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What do the women jokingly state about their relationship at the end of the chapter? What does this reveal about how they feel about each other only after just meeting?
Foreshadowing: Analyze the two statements below. What could they be foreshadowing?
“All the time I’m going to be terrified,” Theodora said, “thinking one of those hills will fall on us.”
“They don’t fall on you. They just slide down, silently and secretly, rolling over you while you try to run away” (45).
“So there won’t be anyone around if you need help… We couldn’t even hear you…In the night,” Mrs. Dudley said, and smiled outright. “In the dark,” she said, and closed the door behind her.
Eleanor almost giggled, thinking of herself calling, “Oh, Mrs. Dudley, I need your help in the dark,” and then she shivered” (34-35).
Character Analysis: Fill in the chart below by providing three direct quotes. One should be an example of direct characterization and the remaining two should be examples of indirect characterization.
Mrs. Dudley
Direct and Indirect Examples
What is revealed about Mrs. Dudley in this opening chapter?
How do the Dudleys create an eerie atmosphere?
Theodora
Direct and Indirect Examples
What does the example to the right reveal?
What does the example to the right reveal?
Her suitcase was considerably larger than Eleanor’s, and considerably more luxurious…Theodora turned with a quick smile and touched [Eleanor’s] shoulder gently, reassuringly; she is charming (38-39).
“I saw it the minute you spoke,” Theodora said firmly…”Imagine two splendid old picnic-going girls like us,” Theodora said, “afraid of a rabbit” (49).
Repetition: When author’s repeat words or phrases, it implies importance. In the first chapter, Jackson repeats the phrase, ”
In delay there lies no plenty…present mirth hath present laughter…
” three times: twice on page 19 and once on page 24. In the second chapter, Jackson repeats the phrase, ”
journeys end in lovers meeting
” numerous times: once on page 19, twice on page 32, once on page 35, and once on page 37. Why does Eleanor continue to repeat these phrases? What does it reveal about her feelings?
What impact does it have on the reader?
Overarching Questions: Why do you think Eleanor and Theodora are both drawn to Hill House, despite their initial reservations?
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In your opinion, at this point is Eleanor’s imagination making the house more terrifying than it actually is? Explain why or why not.