The Haunting of Hill House Lesson Plan

Why is Eleanor affected by Hill House in ways the other characters are not?

The answer to this question becomes more clear in the final chapter. While the other characters (with the exception of Mrs. Montague and Arthur) are influenced by the house in various ways, none of them are as susceptible to the house’s mental games. One potential answer is that the house specifically targets Eleanor. But why? Eleanor has never truly grown up. There is a mental and emotional immaturity to her that makes her vulnerable. Like a child, in the final chapter Eleanor runs around the house calling for her mother, calling for someone to take care of her. This immaturity makes her...