How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality; even larks and katydids are supposed, by some, to dream. Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within […] (1.1)
Hill House unfortunately lacks access to that lovely subconscious release we all know as dreams. Has this given the place a surplus of fear and madness, the perfect house un-warming gift?
Quote #2
I am making these directions so detailed because it is inadvisable to stop in Hillsdale to ask your way. The people there are rude to strangers and openly hostile to anyone inquiring about Hill House. (1.46)
It's the classic "people fear what they don't understand" theme. Whether it's a house or somebody unknown driving through town, it's the same fear reaction.
Quote #3
No human eye can isolate the unhappy coincidence of line and place which suggests evil in the face of a house, and yet somehow a maniac juxtaposition, a badly turned angle, some chance meeting of roof and sky, turned Hill House into a place of despair, more frightening because the face of Hill House seemed awake, with a watchfulness from the blank windows and a touch of glee in the eyebrow of a cornice. (2.1)
It's completely irrational, but we totally understand where Eleanor is coming from here. Sometimes you look at the front of a house, and it just gives you the heebie-jeebies. Hill House, not surprisingly, is one such house.