Christopher Booker is a scholar who wrote that every story falls into one of seven basic plot structures: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, the Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, and Rebirth. Shmoop explores which of these structures fits this story like Cinderella’s slipper.
Plot Type : Tragedy
Booker probably didn't have The Haunting of Hill House in mind when he drafted this plot structure, but that doesn't stop it from being a tragic, depressing, horribly unhappy, yet perfect fit.
Anticipation Stage
The word anticipation brings one character instantly to mind: Eleanor. Our heroine starts the novel desiring to go and do something with a life horribly squandered at the behest of her invalid mother. With Momma dead and Hill House awaiting her over the horizon, Eleanor sets out to have adventure, meet some people, and start a new chapter in her life.
Dream Stage
Speaking of new chapters, Eleanor reaches Hill House, and things couldn't be better. She makes new friends in Theodora, Luke, and Dr. Montague, and she becomes a welcomed part of a group: it becomes like a family to her. Hill House itself is exotic and new. Oh, sure, the place may be a pit of spiritual despair and malcontent that awakens every night to scare the pants off her, but each morning, she wakes up and the "very air tastes like wine" (5.1). Sounds dreamy to us.
Frustration Stage
Of course, the tragedy of the tragedy plot has to kick in sooner or later, and the first stage involves frustration. Eleanor begins to feel separated from the group bit by bit, though this separation may be more in her imagination than anything real. She's truly lacking in self-confidence. The frustration of loneliness reaches its peak when Theodora refuses to let Eleanor move in with her. Then Theodora and Luke seem to be cutting off Eleanor from the group. In need of solace, Eleanor turns her unrequited need for acceptance toward Hill House itself.
Nightmare Stage
Eleanor gives herself completely to Hill House and loses control. In a typical Nightmare stage, the hero meets his or her loss of control with dread and despair. Here, though, Eleanor relishes the loss of her self, believing that Hill House has accepted her wholly and completely. The Nightmare stage culminates with Eleanor climbing the iron stairway in the library and attempting to reach the turret. Luke saves her, and the nightmare appears to have been avoided.
Destruction or Death Wish Stage
But it's not. The tragedy must end with the destruction of the hero; them's the rules. Eleanor decides she'd rather die than be parted from Hill House, the place that's come to signify home for her. Although she's forced to leave by Dr. Montague, Eleanor decides to partake in her death wish and commits suicide by running her car into a tree. Whether this means she and Hill House will be together forever is left to the reader's interpretation. Either way, it's pretty darn tragic.