Every cornice exudes an atmosphere of patriarchal order stifling in every respect. When the house was first finished, Mrs. Crain died on its doorstep. Other women over the years also die in the house. Its evil seems to be strangely directed toward women, particularly Eleanor, one of the people Dr. Montague has invited to the house. Hugh Crain, its original owner and architect, has designed Hill House without any square corners.
Nothing is what it seems.
The narrative is focused on one character, and her interpretations of events color the way we perceive them. If we accept her evaluation of people, places, and events, things always feel a bit off-balance. Question continually whether what Eleonor thinks is what you should also think. Dr. Montague is also very old-fashioned, though his wife appears to dominate him. He wants to pursue a scientific investigation of the house.