The Haunting of Hill House Summary
Description
Here you will find a The Haunting of Hill House summary (Shirley Jackson's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters The Haunting of Hill House Summary Overview
Dr. John Montague, a scholar with a keen interest in the supernatural, leases a notorious, isolated mansion thought to be haunted, with the purpose of conducting a study on paranormal activities. He invites Eleanor Vance, a woman in her early thirties who had encounters with a poltergeist during her childhood, and Theodora, a woman with claimed psychic abilities, to take part in his experiment. Luke Sanderson, a future heir of the property with questionable character traits, is also part of the research group, sent by his aunt to keep undesired spiritual enthusiasts away and to avoid causing trouble. Eleanor, who had been her ill mother's primary caregiver until her recent demise and is in the process of discovering her independence, is the first to arrive at the mansion. Despite her intuition urging her to leave, she remains and encounters the unfriendly caretakers, the Dudleys. She forms an immediate bond with Theodora, who possesses a warm, engaging persona, which is a stark contrast to Eleanor's reclusive nature. After the arrival of Dr. Montague and Luke, the group learns about the house's tragic past involving disputes over ownership, suicides, and the complex architecture of the mansion designed to confuse its inhabitants. Throughout their stay, the team experiences a series of inexplicable incidents, such as loud bangs, cold spots, and mysterious writings appearing in the hallways. As these eerie occurrences increase, suspicion falls heavily on Eleanor, who feels specifically targeted by the mansion. The arrival of Dr. Montague's wife, a fellow psychic researcher, only raises the tension, as she attempts to communicate with the spirits using a planchette. As Eleanor's sense of reality starts to blur, she starts to feel a deep connection with the mansion, believing she can hear any sound within its walls. Despite a unanimous agreement that Eleanor should leave for her mental well-being, she regards the mansion as her new home and tragically drives into a tree, ending her life in a suspected suicide. Despite the publication of his research, Dr. Montague's findings are met with criticism from his peers.
chapter 1
Dr. John Montague, an anthropologist with an intense interest in paranormal activity, is determined to publish one of the first genuine studies on the subject. He identifies Hill House, a property with a haunted reputation, for his research and invites two subjects: Eleanor Vance, a woman in her thirties with a history of encounters with a poltergeist, and Theodora, a younger woman thought to possess psychic potential. Additionally, Luke Sanderson, a dishonest thief, offers to participate. Deployed by his aunt, the current owner of Hill House, Luke's role is to observe the others. Eleanor, having spent the majority of her adult years caring for her late mother, is eager to assert her independence. Her sister and brother-in-law mistrust Dr. Montague and prohibit her from using the car they both own to make her way to Hill House. Despite their objections, Eleanor decides to join the study and takes the car without their permission. En route to Hill House, she stops at a diner and eavesdrops on a young girl's stubborn insistence on drinking her milk from a favored “cup of stars.” Eleanor admires the girl's tenacity in standing up to her parents.
chapter 2
Eleanor arrives first at Hill House, described as a place “without kindness, never meant to be lived in.” She encounters the property’s custodians, Mr. and Mrs. Dudley, who are far from friendly. They reveal their home is six miles away, insisting they never remain at Hill House after dark. They urge Eleanor to abandon the place, but she dismisses her inclination to run. Fearful of admitting defeat, she constantly repeats “journeys end in lovers meeting” whenever she feels tense or fearful. Upon entering, Mrs. Dudley shows Eleanor to the blue room, an entirely blue-themed bedroom. Shortly after, Theodora arrives and is shown to the neighboring green room. Eleanor is quickly charmed by Theodora’s vivacious personality and they strike up an immediate friendship, humorously suggesting they may be kin. Together they explore the surrounding area, taking a break by a picturesque brook. Eleanor gets unnerved when she spots movement on the hill, confessing her skepticism about finishing the study and contemplating leaving. Theodora calms her down, attributing the movement to a rabbit and assuring Eleanor that nothing will separate them now.
chapter 3
Doc Montague and Luke reach the complex, labyrinthine house last. Despite the group's queries, Montague refuses to discuss Hill House's history, citing the darkness and the death of a person who once left the grounds at night, killed by his horse against a tree. Following dinner, Montague finally opens up about the house’s past, differentiating between what's real and what's not. He explains that Hugh Crain built the house eighty years prior. Unfortunately, his wife passed away in a carriage accident before they could move in. Hugh married twice afterwards, losing his second wife to a suspicious fall and his third to tuberculosis. He closed up the house and sent his daughters to kin. An intense quarrel over the house ensued among Crain’s daughters. The elder one died in Hill House and left it to her young female caretaker. The younger sister constantly tormented the caretaker until she ultimately took her own life within the house’s tower. The house then fell into the possession of the Sandersons, the caretaker’s family.
chapter 4
The team reconvenes for their morning meal. Dr. Montague and Luke observe the previously wedged-open doors close themselves just before the ladies join them. Dr. Montague speculates that Crain's architectural design with skewed angles could be contributing to the supposed supernatural occurrences. While exploring, Eleanor detects a foul smell emanating from the library and everyone feels a peculiar cold spot at the nursery entrance. Eleanor almost topples over the veranda railing trying to get a better view of the tower. During an interval, Theodora decorates Eleanor's nails with a bold red color, which upsets Eleanor who associates red with evil. Later, Eleanor is awakened by the sound of her deceased mother's voice and rushes to Theodora's room. Both women then hear a loud banging noise moving down the hall towards Theodora's room. They nervously cling to each other as the door trembles violently before the noise ceases. Dr. Montague and Luke appear shortly after, stating they were in pursuit of something they had seen in the hallway. Interestingly, the men report not hearing any noise just prior to reaching Theodora's room.
chapter 5
Eleanor wakefully acknowledges her fear from the previous night, a sentiment shared by Luke, as they enjoy their morning coffee. Disturbingly, they find a chalk message saying HELP ELEANOR COME HOME in the hallway, sparking Eleanor's fear that the house is aware of her. An ensuing disagreement erupts when Theodora insinuates that Eleanor may have written the message herself. The next day, Luke assists Dr. Montague in gauging the nursery's cold area. The day takes a worst turn when Theodora finds her wardrobe vandalized and the same chilling message smeared in blood on her wall. Eleanor is indifferent, suggesting it could be red paint or nail polish instead. Eleanor grudgingly lends her clothes to Theodora, who had to shift to her room. Dr. Montague pacifies the group, asserting that only fear can harm them, not ghosts. Eleanor's wish to submit to the house alarms him. As Eleanor falls asleep, she hears the sound of a child in distress from a nearby room, and she finds solace in holding what she assumes is Theodora's hand. Upon waking up, she finds Theodora out of reach and questions who's hand she was clutching.
chapter 6
Eleanor and Luke share a private conversation outside where Eleanor prompts Luke to share something personal. He mentions his lack of a mother and a desire to mature, leading Eleanor to perceive him as superficial and self-serving. Inside, Luke stumbles upon a book authored by Hugh Crain for his daughters, filled with disturbing religious visuals and a message penned in Crain's blood. Theodora is repulsed and casts a curse on the book as well as Hill House. She teases Eleanor about Luke, prodding her about inviting him to her apartment with her "cup of stars" once the investigation concludes. Flustered, Eleanor flees and Theodora remorsefully trails behind. In the outdoors, the pair discover a dark path flanked by white trees. As they navigate the eerie environment, they share a supernatural connection. Stumbling upon a group of children having a picnic, their fear is amplified and they escape back indoors. Questioned by Luke and Dr. Montague, Theodora is unable to articulate their experience and Eleanor distantly references a picnic.
chapter 7
Dr. Montague's spouse, a student of the supernatural, turns up at Hill House along with her companion, Arthur. Disappointed by her husband’s slow progress, she declares she'll effectively set things right. After utilizing a device to converse with the otherworld, she conveys that a spirit named “Nell” wishes to return “home” due to “mother.” This unsettles the group, and all eyes turn to Eleanor. The doctor's wife then chooses to spend the night in the nursery, notorious for its paranormal activity, reassuring everyone that spirits are simply lonely souls yearning for companionship. The remaining group members retire for the night but are later summoned to a single room by Dr. Montague, who wants them close in case anything occurs. Before long, they are startled by loud, persistent knocking in the hallway. The noise escalates and eventually starts shaking the door. Overcome by fear and cold, Eleanor surrenders herself and faints. The following day, Eleanor comes to and sees Luke by the window, his face injured. Theodora casually comments that they all participated in a “mad midnight fling.” Dr. Montague finds his wife and Arthur, stating they are still peacefully asleep.
chapter 8
During the morning, Dr. Montague probes Mrs. Montague and Arthur about any odd experiences from the previous night. Mrs. Montague complains about a stuffy room, while Arthur recalls only the sound of branches against his window. When Eleanor later mentions planning to stay with Theodora post-study, Theodora derides the idea, leading Eleanor to remark that she's always felt unwanted. The trio, Eleanor, Luke and Theodora, later wander to a brook. Eleanor guiltily confesses that she feels accountable for her mother's demise, as she didn't respond to her mother's call for medication one night. Theodora suggests Eleanor might just enjoy feeling guilt-ridden about the incident. Absorbed in her thoughts, Eleanor strides ahead and finds herself isolated at the brook. She hears her name being called but discerns no one around. By night, everyone congregates in the parlor as Mrs. Montague and Arthur persist with their planchette session in the library. Abruptly, Mrs. Montague storms into the parlor, announcing the planchette's failure due to everyone's disbelief. Eleanor hears a child’s singing and feels something touch her face amid the room. She has a realization that she alone hears the voice, which brings her a sense of joy, knowing only she can perceive the happenings within Hill House.
chapter 9
Eleanor is compelled to visit the library in the middle of the night, thinking she needs a book. Upon arriving, she catches a foul smell and hears a voice say, “Come along.” Mistaking it for her mother's voice, she dashes upstairs, knocking on all doors. Mrs. Montague, from the nursery, mistakes her for a spirit. Eleanor observes the previously cold house is now warm. She evades the others looking for her by using her unique auditory ability, returning to the library, and climbing the unsteady iron stairs to the turret. Everyone else fears the stairs might crumble, but Luke assists Eleanor down to safety. The following day, Dr. Montague demands Eleanor leave the house immediately, suggesting minimal interaction with the house. While driving away, Eleanor looks back at the house, feeling sorry for the others who believe they can defy Hill House. Suddenly, she speeds towards an oak tree, briefly pondering why she's doing this and why no one is stopping her. Eleanor's life ends in suicide, the study concludes, and everyone else resumes their ordinary lives. Dr. Montague shares his research, which his colleagues dismiss as ridiculous.
