Repression In The Haunting Of Hill House

Mackenzie Lodewick
Ms. McGraw
AP Language and Composition
22 May 2023
The Real Ghost Behind the Haunting: the Manifestation of Repressed Guilt in Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House
What weighs more heavily on the development of a person: the build-up of repression or the haunting presence of guilt? A person’s identity is intricately woven by the threads of society and the culture of family, as people are shaped by the values, norms, and expectations that surround them from the moment they enter the world. Being raised in society and family shapes an individual, but it can also harm them by limiting their individuality, suppressing their dreams, and causing emotional distress because of harmful beliefs. Negative influences within

In The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson presents the theme of guilt and repression through the novel’s main protagonist Eleanor Vance in the form of the hauntings that she experiences during her time at the manor to explain the effects of familial and cultural pressure and how that can manifest into trauma and an unstable mental state. In the norm of pre-World War II society, mothers wove a thread of resilience and nurturing, serving as the true cornerstone upon which families relied through their care of the family as a whole. However, due to the war, the structure of the typical American family was soon refurbished allowing society to see a mother as a person capable of providing for her family in the workforce, thus the norm being shattered. Burning with an intense resentment towards her mother, Eleanor finds herself burdened with a haunting trace of her presence. Just as Eleanor's mother relied on her daughter's care due to her invalid state, Eleanor, too, feels socially incapacitated, and dependent on others for support and nurturing, repeating a cycle of emotional invalidation that echoes the dynamics of her relationship with her mother. Eleanor grew up in a

Their rapid bond forms effortlessly as their mutual distaste for the manor creates a profound connection. They both cling to each other with a sense of gratitude and closeness. However, while initially appearing as a close bond, their connection becomes increasingly destructive. Theodora often manipulates and provokes Eleanor, exploiting her vulnerabilities and vocalizing her insecurities. This manipulation fuels Eleanor's emotional struggles and leads to a toxic cycle of dependency and self-destruction. Furthermore, Theodora's disregard for Eleanor's feelings and the constant power struggles between them contribute to the toxicity of their relationship, ultimately leading to its detrimental effects on both characters. The breaking point for Eleanor is when Theodora rejects the idea of them together after their time at Hill House because she “has [her] life,” and she acknowledges the fact that “Hill House is not forever,” (Jackson, 171). This rejection highlights the fragility of Eleanor's hopes and deepens her internal guilt over her sexuality, as she realizes that the connection they shared was fleeting and not meant to last. Theodora then provokes Eleanor while she is in this state of distress by joking with Luke that “perhaps Nell would rather stay here and write on walls,” (Jackson, 172). Eleanor is overwhelmed by guilt upon realizing