How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The intelligent thing to do, perhaps, was to walk over and open the door; that, perhaps, would belong with the doctor's views of pure scientific inquiry. (4.269)
Unfortunately, reason and scientific inquiry go by the wayside when some unknown entity is banging on your door in a wild, terrifying fury.
Quote #8
[…] so that each of them seemed always waiting for a cry for help from one of the others; intelligence and understanding are really no protection at all, [Eleanor] thought. (5.131)
Just to drive the point home: Hill House is beyond intelligence and understanding. It just exists, and it is terrifying. If you connect this theme to other themes related to Hill House itself—like "The Home" or "Family"—it can really bring you to some interesting conclusions.
Quote #9
"Fear," the doctor said, "is the relinquishment of logic, the willing relinquishment of reasonable patterns. We yield to it or we fight it, but we cannot meet it halfway." (5.167)
We like the idea of fear being a willing relinquishment. It's almost as if the book is saying that we only fear the things we want to fear. That's neat. Does the novel itself support Dr. Montague's claim?