Hill+House+Symbols

Kent S. Mrs. Ackerman Honors American Literature May 13, 2007

//After searching all the subscription sites without finding anything on symbols, Ackerman said I could make my own, so instead of a summary, I have a list of motifs that I found while reading.//


 * Motifs:**

-colors (rooms/clothing) -the stream -knocking/pounding at night -Mrs. Dudley's food -the library -doors -Eleanor's feelings towards Theodora and Luke (good and bad) -how Eleanor can hear parts of the house -chess -"journeys end in lovers meting"-Eleanor's favorite line :)

//Please feel free to add any new ones, or just bring them to class to discuss.//


 * Response:**

Although Shirley Jackson has many motifs in her novel //The Haunting of Hill House//, I found colors to be repeated many times, and have lots of meaning. First, in the rooms, Eleanor has the blue room. Blue generally means trust and loyalty. Eleanor is loyal to her mom until the end even though her mom is mean. She also trusts Dr. Montague without even finding out very much about him. Theodora's room is the green room which symbolizes envy. I believe that Eleanor is envious of Theodora, because she has an apartment, money, Luke likes her more, and she is happy. The doors could symbolize passage, r lack of passage because they are shut. Eleanor, as we know, never leaves the house once the doors shut on her. Shirley Jackson uses these colors and other motifs to reveal the personality of her characters without having to say so, she also foreshadows the ending with the doors.

Write down your favorite color, along with your best friends favorite color. Then write down what this says about yourself and your friend. Are they trustworthy, angry, shy, etc...
 * Opening Activity:**

1. Why does the doctor have the yellow room? 2. What color do you think the nursery is? Why? 3. Why won't the doors stay open? (metaphorically speaking, not literally) 4. Would these characters be able to stay in any other colored rooms? Which ones? Why? 5. What color do you think Mrs. Dudley's kitchen or room would be? Why?
 * Focus Questions:**

Kent S.