Hill House

Hill House is symbolic of psychological unrest. Over the course of the characters' stay in this setting, the house gains power over them. The house threatens their emotional stability, fractures their relationships, and causes them to doubt themselves. The house's isolated location augments the characters' personal isolation, and unhinges them from reality.

Holly's Play

Holly's play is symbolic of desire and striving. Holly is desperate to produce the play, because she sees it as an extension of herself. Despite her friends' involvement, she claims the play as her own, because she needs it to prove herself realize her artistic potential.

Nisa's Songs

Nisa's songs are symbolic of longing. Although Nisa loves Holly and Stevie, she often fears that they do not value her or her artistry. The haunting songs she sings throughout the novel, capture her longing to be seen, heard, and understood.

Macy-Lee Barton