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The Haunting of Hill House,
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Cora
Although its ambiguous, I think it's also possible to say that Eleanor is becoming more of an unreliable narrator as the story progresses. It is suggested that she is hearing voices that are not heard by the other characters and so it's a wonder if she is really interpreting Theo's dialogue and behavior sensibly or not.
Ava Teague
This is a great question and one I had as well at first read. My interpretation is that Theodora can sense when Eleanor is under the house's influence. Theodora hates the house and is fighting it while Eleanor is being seduced by it. In a way, the house and Theodora are both trying to assert power over Eleanor. Of course this is only my interpretation and totally open for debate.
Alleson
I also want to add that, while it doesn't answer the question, Theo's mentioned to be telepathic and I wonder if she's able to read Eleanor's increasingly unkind and unreliable inner monologues.
And can I say that mentioning Theo's telepathy and then never bringing it up again is, from a critical standpoint, genius. It adds an extra layer of "What is ACTUALLY happening?"
And can I say that mentioning Theo's telepathy and then never bringing it up again is, from a critical standpoint, genius. It adds an extra layer of "What is ACTUALLY happening?"
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