How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Arthur cleared his throat. "What do you want?" he read.
"Home."
"Do you want to go home?" And Theodora shrugged comically at Eleanor.
"Want to be home."
"What are you doing here?"
"Waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
"Home." (7.106-113)
Arthur and Mrs. Montague recite their dialogue with the ghosts of Hill House by way of planchette. Is this need for home truly coming from the ghosts, or is it simply Arthur and Mrs. Montague tapping into the ghosts of our human psyche? Could both possibilities be true? Man, this novel sure is a trip.
Quote #8
I am disappearing inch by inch into this house, I am going apart a little bit at a time because all this noise is breaking me; why are the others frightened? (7.183)
Eleanor recognizes that Hill House is consuming her as if she were a dysfunctional soufflé. The house even appears to be savoring the meal. Yet the question tacked to the end here hints, once again, that maybe this is all in Eleanor's mind. The others need not fear what's only in her mind.
Quote #9
"Back with you, back home. I"—and Eleanor smiled wryly—"am going to follow you home."
Theodora started. "Why?" she asked blankly.
"I never had anyone to care about," Eleanor said, wondering where she had heard someone say something like this before. "I want to be someplace where I belong." (8.23-25)
This quote is gut-wrenchingly sad on many levels. On the one hand, Theodora's selfishness blocks Eleanor from finding a place where she fits (very sad). On the other hand, Eleanor's inability to find a home within herself is perhaps more to blame for her dissatisfaction than anything else (super sad).