Themes

• Isolation and loneliness

• Mental instability and delusion

• The power of fear and suggestion

• Family dynamics and inheritance

• The blurred line between reality and the supernatural

• The house as a sentient character

• The psychological effects of trauma

Setting

Likely set in the mid-20th century when the novel was written, The Haunting of Hill House takes place primarily within the confines of the titular mansion. While the exact location is never revealed, the house is described as being surrounded by hills, isolated from the nearest town, and difficult to find.

Hill House itself is a character in its own right—a looming, brooding presence that dominates the landscape. The mansion is characterized by its bizarre architecture, with rooms and corridors that seem to shift and disorient its inhabitants. Outside, untrimmed hedges and rusted gates add to the property's neglected, forbidding atmosphere.

Characters

• Eleanor Vance: The main character. Eleanor is a shy, reserved woman in her 30s who has spent years caring for her invalid mother. She is sensitive and imaginative, with possible latent psychic abilities. Eleanor becomes increasingly unstable during her time at Hill House, developing an unhealthy attachment to the house.

• Dr. John Montague: The leader of the Hill House expedition. Dr. Montague is an anthropologist and paranormal investigator hoping to find scientific evidence of supernatural phenomena. He is rational and academic in his approach, but becomes concerned about Eleanor's mental state.

• Theodora: A free-spirited, bohemian artist invited to Hill House due to her ESP abilities. Theodora is outgoing and forms a close but complex friendship with Eleanor. She serves as a foil to Eleanor's repressed personality.

• Luke Sanderson: The charming young heir to Hill House. Luke is skeptical about the supernatural but joins the group as a representative of the house's owners. He develops feelings for Theodora but is also protective of Eleanor.

• Mrs. Dudley: The dour housekeeper of Hill House. Mrs. Dudley is stern and unfriendly, repeatedly warning the guests that no one will come to help them at night. Her ominous statements contribute to the house's menacing atmosphere.

• Mr. Dudley: The taciturn groundskeeper of Hill House. Mr. Dudley is as unwelcoming as his wife, adding to the property's foreboding aura.

• Mrs. Montague: Dr. Montague's overbearing wife who arrives later in the story. Mrs. Montague fancies herself a psychic investigator but is oblivious to the real supernatural events occurring in the house.

• Arthur Parker: Mrs. Montague's traveling companion, a pompous headmaster. Arthur assists Mrs. Montague in her amateur paranormal investigations at Hill House.

Quick facts

• The Haunting of Hill House was a finalist for the National Book Award.

• Shirley Jackson was inspired to write the novel after reading about a group of 19th- century psychic researchers.

• Jackson sketched floor plans of Hill House and a rendering of its exterior as part of her writing process.

• The novel is dedicated to Leonard Brown, Jackson's English teacher at Syracuse University.

• Stephen King listed The Haunting of Hill House as one of the finest horror novels of the late 20th century in his book Danse Macabre.

• The character of Theodora is considered an early example of queer representation in horror literature.

• The Haunting of Hill House has been adapted into two feature films, both titled The Haunting, released in 1963 and 1999.

• A stage adaptation was first produced in 1964 by F. Andrew Leslie.

• The novel was adapted into a radio drama for BBC Radio 4 in 1997.

• In 2018, The Haunting of Hill House was loosely adapted into a critically acclaimed Netflix series directed by Mike Flanagan.

About the Author

Shirley Jackson (1916-1965) was an influential American author known for her works of horror and mystery. Her writing career spanned over two decades, during which she published six novels, two memoirs, and over 200 short stories, often exploring themes of isolation, mental illness, and the dark side of human nature. Her most famous work is the short story “The Lottery," first published in The New Yorker in 1948, which depicts the sinister underbelly of a seemingly idyllic American village. Other notable works include the novels The Haunting of Hill House and We Have Always Lived in the Castle, both considered classics of the horror genre. 

Born in San Francisco, Jackson began writing short stories while attending Syracuse University, where she met her future husband, Stanley Edgar Hyman. After graduating, the couple moved to New York City and Jackson started contributing fiction to The New Yorker. They later settled in North Bennington, Vermont, where Jackson would spend most of her adult life. 

Despite her success as an author, Jackson's personal life was marked by struggles with agoraphobia, addiction, and marital difficulties. Her husband's infidelities and controlling behavior reportedly caused her significant distress. Jackson's health began to decline in the 1960s, exacerbated by her heavy smoking and use of amphetamines and barbiturates. She died of heart failure at the age of 48, leaving behind an unfinished novel.

Jackson's legacy has grown significantly since her death. Her works have been adapted into numerous films, television series, and stage productions. The Shirley Jackson Awards were established in 2007 to recognize outstanding achievement in horror and dark fantasy literature. Recent years have seen a resurgence of interest in Jackson's life and work, with the publication of new biographies and previously unpublished stories. Today, Shirley Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most important American authors of the 20th century, known for her psychological insight and masterful use of the Gothic tradition.