Summary:
Although leaders of war are hardly considered ordinary people, they also seek comfort/companionship from dogs. General George S. Patton (American general during WWII) sought comfort from his bull terrier, Willie while another American General Omer Bradley soughed it through his poodle, Beau. Erwin Rommel (German General during WWII) sought comfort of his pack of dachshunds. Commander in chief, General Swight D. Eisenhower had two Scottish terriers. U.S Airforce General Claire Chennault had the company of Joe, his dachshund. Admiral Fredrick Sherman had a cocker spaniel named Admiral Wags. And General George Armstrong Custer, was the youngest general in history until this day, and have as many books written on him as Lincoln. He had the reputation of an 'Indian Fighter' and was very strict in his disciplinary methods, this excluded him from others and caused him to only relax around his pack of dogs. He also hunts with his dogs that consisted of greyhounds, Bulcher, Swift, and Byron and his Scottish deerhounds, Tuck, Cardigan, and Lady.
George Washington had a lifelong love for dogs because of his passion for fox-hunting. He had a kennel of Virginia hounds (they no longer exist today) named Sweet Lips, Venus, Music, Lady, and True-Love, who shared a kennel with Taste, Tipsy, Tippler, and Drunkard. He gifted his Virginia hounds to people who would eventually make Washington in command of the Continental army and help him become elected for President by the Electoral College. During the battle of Germantown, he returned General Howe's (the British General) dog with a message to him and although the fighting did continue, General Howe respected Washington after that and won battles leniently. He resigned rather than to escalate in brutality towards the rebel colonists. When the war was over, Washington focused on breeding dogs fit for fox-hunting and bred the American foxhound.
Many Presidents in the Oval Office had companions. President Theodore Roosevelt had a Chesapeake retriever named Sailor Boy, bull terrier named Peter, Manchester terrier named Jack, a Saint Bernard, and many others. His favorite was Skip, a mixed breed; Roosevelt laid him in his coffin himself in the white house garden, although his wife moved Skip to their estate. President James Buchanan had a huge Newfoundland named Lara. President Dwight D. Eisenhower had a Scottish terrier named Caacie. John F. Kennedy had a welsh terrier named Charlie and eventually 9 others. In the room of 'vital information, frantic aides, and fearful decisions' about Cuba and Russia, Kennedy called for Charlie, and stroke him for minutes before relaxing and making decisions. Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, Warren Harding, Herbert Hover, Richard M. Nixon, and George Bush used their dogs to manipulate public opinions of them, and became a public relations asset. And lastly, dogs were therapeutic in Abraham Lincoln's life, especially Honey, a stray he saved as a kid, along with Jip and Fido in the future.
In the last chapter, Coren poses questions for the reader such as: Could the expedition of Lewis and Clark have been successful if the leaders, Lewis and Clark had not been saved by the Newfoundland, Seamon, from an angry bull? I think the expedition would not have been successful, unless there was someone who knew what Lewis and Clark was doing and was a good leader. Did the rise of Protestant and it's heated conflict with the Catholic church during Henry VIII of England could've been avoided or delayed if the dog named Urian had not sunk it's teeth into the Pope's toe as a misguided attempt to protect his master? I think the conflict between the protestant and catholic church would not have been in conflict if the dog never bit the Pope's toe, because the Henry VIII had already bribed the Pope to help him null his first marriage. Many times in history, mankind had depended upon the actions of their canine friends. For example, Alexander the Great had depended on his greyhound, Pertias to be there for him, especially on the battle field. Pertias had stopped a raging elephant from trampling over Alexander, opening a way for Alexander to escape, although Pertias did not survive. Alexander was deeply moved by Pertia's loyalty and therefore ordered to have to the dog located, preserved, named after a city, and a statue of him mounted in the central square. Influence of dogs have been helpful no matter the degree or method. Coren argues that if their owners were people whose actions have changed history, then this fact alone would mean that dogs have had an influence on historical events. I completely agree with this theory.
Quote:
''Teddy couldn't bear to leave him there beneath the eyes of presidents who might care nothing for a little mutt.'' (Coren 265).
Reaction:
I loved that quote that was originally explained by Roosevelt's wife, when she reburied Skip, Roosevelt's favorite dog, back to their estate. From this quote, I can assume that Roosvelt's bond with his dog was deep because he considers the fact that future Presidents may not care about this mutt that meant so much more to Roosevelt. He feels that even after death, he didn't want Skip to be unhappy. I also like the fact that Roosevelt's wife was considerate enough to rebury Skip in honor of her husband's wishes.
Overall, I think this book was nice to read, because it involved a lot of dogs that I never knew existed in the lives of the military leaders, politicians, and people of the nobility that I've learned about in school. And of course, the fact that although dogs seemed insignificant to historians, the dogs had actually made a huge impact on the lives of historical figures we study about today. If only the dogs were included in the school's history curriculum.... :)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The PawPrints of History (Pg 143-236)
Summary:
There are some people that believe in French philosopher Descartes' theory that dogs do not think, but engage in activities without thinking, but can be programmed into doing certain things. However, a majority of people now believe that dogs are capable of emotions. Of course, in history, most people did not think of dogs to the extent of protecting them with laws, all but Richard Martin. He's named 'Humanity Martin' for being credited with the beginning of animal welfare movement in Britain. He wrote bills to parliament, but was ridiculed; one politician even asked ''Do you even know what cruelty is?'' Martin told him yes, and that he'd show him. He beat him twice and when the politician pleaded for him to stop; Martin told him an animal could not cry for help. In 1822 the first animal welfare act was passed and Martin formed the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Similarily, in Japan, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi had drawn up laws for the protection of dogs and was a reformer at heart. He was born in the year of the dog and decided to cherish and protect dogs after speaking with a Buddhist priest. He created humanitarian laws such as ''Laws of Compassion'' When strays became a problem for the local people, he created public kennels for them.
Laws that protect animals have also benefited humans. An example was when New Yorker Henry Bergh wrote the 'Declaration of the Rights of Animals' and gathered signatures after giving many speeches; it was endorsed by many people. The New York legislatures complied and passed several laws to prevent animal cruelty, even gave Bergh a charter to establish the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). He took up a case to help a young child who was abused at the age of 5 named Mary Ellen because of a woman's plea, and successfully extended the laws to protect animals to cover the abuse of children, since they were equally helpless. He created the American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and both his organizations have been linked together.
In the case of Napoleon Bonaparte, dogs were responsible for damaging his first marriage but also saving his life. His wife's dog, Fortune, bit his naked skin during their lovemaking, which resulted in Napoleon's distaste for dogs. His wife cheated on him with a man who formed a fond relationship with Fortune and Napoleon was outraged; he divorced her and married Marie Antoinette, the daughter of the Austrian emperor. When he failed to take over Russian, he was confined in the island of Elba where he owned a midsized yellow dog (Lab/Spaniel mix) who acted as food taster for poison. When he heard the French hated having Louis XIII back on the throne, he left on a small local boat. Apparently he had fallen off and a newfoundland had saved him. When his attempt to seize power again in France failed, he was confined to St. Helena where he died of arsenic poisoning; he had no dog.
Since dogs provided companionship, it's not surprising that 80% of dog owners talk to their dogs as if they were another person. One of those people was John Steinbeck, the author of 'Of Mice and Men', 'East of Eden' and much more other works of literature. He went on a 12,000 mile trip that took him through 37 states and Canada with a black standard poodle named Charley whom he spoke to about his emotions, observations, and philosophical conversations. Social companion dogs, often the dogs of historical figures and ordinary people alike, kept people from psychological symptoms such as loneliness, stress, fear, etc. An example of this would be Mary, the Queen of Scots. She was raised among packs of dogs consisting of spaniels, pugs, and Maltese in the court of the French king and queen, King Henry IV and wife. She married her husband, dauphin Francis, he died a year later, and during a time of conspiracy and rebellion, she sought refugee in England, but was imprisoned there for 18 years with a smuggled Maltese. When she was beheaded, the Maltese was discovered under her dress and it ran to the space between the severed head of her master and the body, and refused to budge. Seeing this, the executioner pitied the blood-covered dog, washed it up, and presented it to a French princess. Also, the Canadian Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, whose mother, sister, friend, close friend/mentor, and soul-mate from collage all died before his first year as prime minister, had Irish terriers that filled the many gaps of his life. The dogs, Pat, Pat II, and Pat III, would all provide him with emotional support.
In China, there was a story of the Buddha that first tamed a lion, who fell in love with a dog who was fearful of his great body. Buddha gave him a small body, but if he couldn't remain a good servant to him, then the obligation of servitude fell upon the lion's heirs. Thus the Lion Dogs would serve and act as symbols of Buddha. During the Manchu Dynasty, Emperor Tzu Hsi (also known as Cixi and/or the Dowager Empress of China) she had relied upon the symbolism Pekingeses in the royal kennel as well as her own personal kennel, to make decisions. When told to consider overthrowing the Emperor (her nephew), she turned to her dogs. A new liter of three had been born. 2 red and 1 yellow Pekingese; this was good luck as red symbolized joy/happiness, and yellow symbolized the color of the earth/China, and the white spot on all their foreheads symbolized blessed endeavors. Sadly this was not completely accurate, since the foreigns took Peking, broke into the Forbidden City, and looted. To prevent the sacred breed of Pekingeses from falling into foreign hands, she had many of them killed, all but 5 which foreigners distributed as gifts. She had fled, but returned to sign the 'Peace of Peking' and returned to reform China. Lion Dogs became virtually extinct after Communists overthrow.
Quote:
''Well, sir,'' said Martin, ''a poor dog or a horse is not able to say that he has bad enough, or too much, and therefore wants protection.'' (Coren 147)
Reaction:
I love that quote. Richard Martin was the man who was credited with the beginning of the animal welfare movement, and by him saying that quote after beating a politician with his cane, he was able to convey the pain animals feel when abused. This quote truly showed that Martin was an animal advocate by not only telling, but showing the politician the real meaning of cruelty and put the man into an animal's position.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The PawPrints of History (Pg 80-143)
Although it may seem rather surprising, dogs actually stimulated and inspired their owners. This included in literature, and in the opera house. Sir Walter Scott was raised in Scotland around many dogs, and therefore developed an affinity for them. He kept many dogs himself, his favorite was Camp, a bull terrier who stayed by his side during his writing sessions. He couldn't write without them being around him! During his time, novels weren't too popular, but he wrote many novels anyway to support his family and his dogs. He wrote them autonomously, but eventually people noticed the similarities of the dogs in his stories to his many dogs; right down to his dog's personalities. When Camp died, his new writing partner became Maida, a wolfhound and deerhound cross. He died huddled around his pack of dogs.. In Germany, Richard Wilheim Wagner was a famous opera composer who wrote 13 full operas, many musical compositions, and 230 books/articles. He was exposed to dogs at a young age; he and his sister used to rescue unwanted puppies. He and his wife settled with either a English Toy Spaniel/Cavalier King Charles Spaniel they named Peps instead of kids; he 'Tannhauser and the Contest of Singers on the Wartburg' with and for Peps, because during his writing sessions, Peps had to be near, and he would play the piano to see Peps' reaction to the notes. After Peps, he received Fips (same breed as Peps), and later on, Pohl (Saint Hubert Hound), Kos (Fox Terrier), Russumuch or Russ (black Newfoundland), Branke (St. Bernard), and two Newfoundlands named Mollie and King Marke.
There were debates on whether or not dogs had an important role in the life of the inventor of the telephone (and a lot more other things such as the iron lung), Alexander Graham Bell. In his life, animals were a big part of it, owning horses, bobcats, eagles, snakes, sheep, and more. He understood the psychological value of dogs and would bring them with him to work. He used his Skye Terrier, to teach him how to talk, in order to prove a point about the importance of his father's theory of mouth and tongue movements. After training his dog, he was able to produce sounds that sounded like ''How are you, grandmama?'' (it came out as ow-ah-oo-ma-ma.) He was offered a job to teach deaf children, in which after the fifth session, the children uttered 'complete and intelligent' sentences. The children had wealthy parents, and some funded Bell for scientific purposes, which allowed him to design the first telephone, which sent the first electrical sound transmission over a wire on March 10, 1876.
Dogs are also a source of comfort, even in the therapist room. Coren had noticed that Eva, a woman in her 60s had her husband, old son and his wife, and their children killed in a car accident and needed some traumatic stress relieving. A Golden Retriever named Sandy was bought in and she immediately went to comfort the unmoving woman. After a short time, Eva started crying and talking about her dog named Goldie that was just like Sandy; Eva began to talk in each session in the presence of Sandy. Sigmund Frued was a neurologist whose encounter with a dog had influenced his psychoanalytic thinking. He went to Paris to study under Jean-Martin Charcot, who studied hysteria. Freud concluded that hysteria was a psychological, not a physical, problem. When he was in his 70s, he developed jaw cancer, and his daughter provided him with dogs for continuous companionship. His daughter was gifted a huge German Shepherd named Wolf, and he was gifted a Chow name Lun Yug who died too fast and was replaced with her sister, Joti. Later on, Frued would notice that the dogs present in the therapeutic room comforted both the psychoanalyst and the patient; this is especially with children/adolescence (he found this out with his oldest son and his dog, Joti). After his death and his works translated, people started recognizing his work and did some research about animals and etc.
Quote:
''Don Giovani: 'A bond of friendship unites us both...' ''(Coren 141).
Reaction:
I think that quote pretty much summarizes these few chapters because it's all about the companionship of famous authors, composers, researchers, and etc. And because dogs are born with a natural sense of loyalty, they are loyal to their owners, and not only do they provide therapeutic presence in the therapy room, but to their owners in their daily life too. They've gotten people through hardships and stay by them until their time was up. I find that very touching and yearn for a dog presence in my life too because of that bond of friendship as described above.
There were debates on whether or not dogs had an important role in the life of the inventor of the telephone (and a lot more other things such as the iron lung), Alexander Graham Bell. In his life, animals were a big part of it, owning horses, bobcats, eagles, snakes, sheep, and more. He understood the psychological value of dogs and would bring them with him to work. He used his Skye Terrier, to teach him how to talk, in order to prove a point about the importance of his father's theory of mouth and tongue movements. After training his dog, he was able to produce sounds that sounded like ''How are you, grandmama?'' (it came out as ow-ah-oo-ma-ma.) He was offered a job to teach deaf children, in which after the fifth session, the children uttered 'complete and intelligent' sentences. The children had wealthy parents, and some funded Bell for scientific purposes, which allowed him to design the first telephone, which sent the first electrical sound transmission over a wire on March 10, 1876.
Dogs are also a source of comfort, even in the therapist room. Coren had noticed that Eva, a woman in her 60s had her husband, old son and his wife, and their children killed in a car accident and needed some traumatic stress relieving. A Golden Retriever named Sandy was bought in and she immediately went to comfort the unmoving woman. After a short time, Eva started crying and talking about her dog named Goldie that was just like Sandy; Eva began to talk in each session in the presence of Sandy. Sigmund Frued was a neurologist whose encounter with a dog had influenced his psychoanalytic thinking. He went to Paris to study under Jean-Martin Charcot, who studied hysteria. Freud concluded that hysteria was a psychological, not a physical, problem. When he was in his 70s, he developed jaw cancer, and his daughter provided him with dogs for continuous companionship. His daughter was gifted a huge German Shepherd named Wolf, and he was gifted a Chow name Lun Yug who died too fast and was replaced with her sister, Joti. Later on, Frued would notice that the dogs present in the therapeutic room comforted both the psychoanalyst and the patient; this is especially with children/adolescence (he found this out with his oldest son and his dog, Joti). After his death and his works translated, people started recognizing his work and did some research about animals and etc.
Quote:
''Don Giovani: 'A bond of friendship unites us both...' ''(Coren 141).
Reaction:
I think that quote pretty much summarizes these few chapters because it's all about the companionship of famous authors, composers, researchers, and etc. And because dogs are born with a natural sense of loyalty, they are loyal to their owners, and not only do they provide therapeutic presence in the therapy room, but to their owners in their daily life too. They've gotten people through hardships and stay by them until their time was up. I find that very touching and yearn for a dog presence in my life too because of that bond of friendship as described above.
The PawPrints of History (Pg 1-80)
Summary:
In this historic novel, Stanley Coren argues that dogs have actually contributed to our history politically and socially. Although they were regarded as mere pets and haven't actually been credited in our history books, Coren gives many examples where dogs have actually aided their famous masters. Dogs have been known as protectors; in many stories, the dogs save their owners from danger, enabling them to achieve greater things in life (altering history!) For example, Alexander Pope was a famous poet who despite his small stature, owned a Great Dane named Bounce, who saved him from his new servant, who planned to kill him for his money. There was also similar stories of protective dogs in the Indian Story of Mik'Maq where Gisoolg (Great Spirit and Creater) created Earth, animals, men, and dogs to protect the men; Saint Giovanni Melchior Bosco, who was constantly targetted for his nonexistent wealth, but protected by a gray dog he named Grigio; and Prince of Orange, William I, who used dogs to protect his cities for attacks (they acted as alarms), in which 2000 years later, Napoleon followed suit by protecting Alexandria with dogs. Sometimes, dogs have been known to indirectly change history, for example, Florence Nightingale's first patient was a dog, and after healing the dog, she had a dream that made her realize her mission in life was to heal others.
Dogs have been traditionally known to be able to see evil approach, yet recognize sanity and truth. Their howling was often an omen of something bad. During the time of the Plague of Black Death, he traveled with his dog to the infected areas and his dog licked the spots of the infected, while he whispered prayers. They eventually healed, but he got sick, during which his dog took food from the village, and returned it to him. Dogs also offer companionship to their owners. In the example of Saint Margaret, her dog stayed by her when her lover died, and guided her to the church when she was rejected by her family members. There, she heard a voice tell her to seek absolution; she became the patron saint of the homeless and single mothers. Also, in the case of the famous St. Patrick, he had worked as a shepherd, formed bonds with dogs, and even tamed the wild dog in Ireland. Because of this brave act, he was given permission to establish a church in Ireland. He built his church on a hill after a dog with a white blaze--much like a cross stood on a hill. Italian greyhounds mended the wounded King Frederick II of Prussia throughout most of his life. He was abused as a child and had found companionship and solace in dogs. He had 35 dogs throughout his lifetime.
Some dogs were aggressive, but it's not usually their fault. It's the fault of the owner. Dogs are born with a sense of loyalty, not morality. When Columbus came to the New Worlds, one of his generals had bought 20 dogs with them during the Second Voyage. Those 20 dogs included the giant Mastiffs, and fast Greyhounds; Bartolome De Las Casas witnessed that they killed efficiently and had possibly developed a taste for human (Native's) blood. Columbus used this vicious method to claim Jamaica, Haiti, and Dominican Republic. Other conquistadors followed suit.
Quote:
''The more I see of men, the better I like my dog.'' (Coren 65).
Reaction:
I really like this quote because it showed that there are evils in the world of people, but dogs are always pure. Their intentions are always good, they listen to their owners without prejudice, and provide life long companionship for their owners.
In this historic novel, Stanley Coren argues that dogs have actually contributed to our history politically and socially. Although they were regarded as mere pets and haven't actually been credited in our history books, Coren gives many examples where dogs have actually aided their famous masters. Dogs have been known as protectors; in many stories, the dogs save their owners from danger, enabling them to achieve greater things in life (altering history!) For example, Alexander Pope was a famous poet who despite his small stature, owned a Great Dane named Bounce, who saved him from his new servant, who planned to kill him for his money. There was also similar stories of protective dogs in the Indian Story of Mik'Maq where Gisoolg (Great Spirit and Creater) created Earth, animals, men, and dogs to protect the men; Saint Giovanni Melchior Bosco, who was constantly targetted for his nonexistent wealth, but protected by a gray dog he named Grigio; and Prince of Orange, William I, who used dogs to protect his cities for attacks (they acted as alarms), in which 2000 years later, Napoleon followed suit by protecting Alexandria with dogs. Sometimes, dogs have been known to indirectly change history, for example, Florence Nightingale's first patient was a dog, and after healing the dog, she had a dream that made her realize her mission in life was to heal others.
Dogs have been traditionally known to be able to see evil approach, yet recognize sanity and truth. Their howling was often an omen of something bad. During the time of the Plague of Black Death, he traveled with his dog to the infected areas and his dog licked the spots of the infected, while he whispered prayers. They eventually healed, but he got sick, during which his dog took food from the village, and returned it to him. Dogs also offer companionship to their owners. In the example of Saint Margaret, her dog stayed by her when her lover died, and guided her to the church when she was rejected by her family members. There, she heard a voice tell her to seek absolution; she became the patron saint of the homeless and single mothers. Also, in the case of the famous St. Patrick, he had worked as a shepherd, formed bonds with dogs, and even tamed the wild dog in Ireland. Because of this brave act, he was given permission to establish a church in Ireland. He built his church on a hill after a dog with a white blaze--much like a cross stood on a hill. Italian greyhounds mended the wounded King Frederick II of Prussia throughout most of his life. He was abused as a child and had found companionship and solace in dogs. He had 35 dogs throughout his lifetime.
Some dogs were aggressive, but it's not usually their fault. It's the fault of the owner. Dogs are born with a sense of loyalty, not morality. When Columbus came to the New Worlds, one of his generals had bought 20 dogs with them during the Second Voyage. Those 20 dogs included the giant Mastiffs, and fast Greyhounds; Bartolome De Las Casas witnessed that they killed efficiently and had possibly developed a taste for human (Native's) blood. Columbus used this vicious method to claim Jamaica, Haiti, and Dominican Republic. Other conquistadors followed suit.
Quote:
''The more I see of men, the better I like my dog.'' (Coren 65).
Reaction:
I really like this quote because it showed that there are evils in the world of people, but dogs are always pure. Their intentions are always good, they listen to their owners without prejudice, and provide life long companionship for their owners.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Movie Reviews
Bosley Crowther of New York Times says:
''...And, believe me, before this antique chiller drags to an ectoplasmic end, you'll agree that it does have just about everything in the old-fashioned blood-chilling line except a line of reasoning that makes a degree of sense...'' (Crowther 1).
Crowther, Bosley. "The Haunting (1963)." Movie Reviews, Showtimes and Trailers - Movies - New York
Times - The New York Times. 19 Sept. 1963. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. <http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A06E4D81431E73BBC4152DFBF668388679EDE&partner=Rotten Tomatoes>.
Reaction:
I agree with Crowther that although this movie was a bit nerve wracking in a sense, it didn't make much sense to me. Although, I didn't really get why Eleanor did the things she did in the book. The movie had good acters, suspense, and a nice setting, but the movie just didn't really make sense in terms of the storyline.
''...And, believe me, before this antique chiller drags to an ectoplasmic end, you'll agree that it does have just about everything in the old-fashioned blood-chilling line except a line of reasoning that makes a degree of sense...'' (Crowther 1).
Crowther, Bosley. "The Haunting (1963)." Movie Reviews, Showtimes and Trailers - Movies - New York
Times - The New York Times. 19 Sept. 1963. Web. 25 Feb. 2011. <http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A06E4D81431E73BBC4152DFBF668388679EDE&partner=Rotten Tomatoes>.
Reaction:
I agree with Crowther that although this movie was a bit nerve wracking in a sense, it didn't make much sense to me. Although, I didn't really get why Eleanor did the things she did in the book. The movie had good acters, suspense, and a nice setting, but the movie just didn't really make sense in terms of the storyline.
Reaction to the Film
-Low Angle shot: Low angle shot was used right from the beginning, looking up at Hill House, while the lights were low-key to pronounce shadows and show that Hill House was a dark place.
-High angle shot: When the companion hanged herself, while looking down, you see the bottom of the staircase, and the companion's legs as they angle high in the air.
-Bird's eye shot was used to vertically look down on the spiral staircase as the camera spins, as if going down the staircase.
-When Eleanor first sees Hill House, the camera uses low angle shot once again to look up on the house as a threatening object after she warns herself that it's her last chance to get away.
-Birds eye shot is used afterwards, as if Hill House looks down on her small car.
-When Eleanor enters the house, the camera pans, to show the inside of the house through Eleanor's eyes.
-When Dr. Montague goes up the rusty staircase to get Eleanor, Eleanor seeings Ms. Montague on the ceiling (probably in the attic) and screams. Then the scene fades into blackness for a few seconds.
-High angle shot: When the companion hanged herself, while looking down, you see the bottom of the staircase, and the companion's legs as they angle high in the air.
-Bird's eye shot was used to vertically look down on the spiral staircase as the camera spins, as if going down the staircase.
-When Eleanor first sees Hill House, the camera uses low angle shot once again to look up on the house as a threatening object after she warns herself that it's her last chance to get away.
-Birds eye shot is used afterwards, as if Hill House looks down on her small car.
-When Eleanor enters the house, the camera pans, to show the inside of the house through Eleanor's eyes.
-When Dr. Montague goes up the rusty staircase to get Eleanor, Eleanor seeings Ms. Montague on the ceiling (probably in the attic) and screams. Then the scene fades into blackness for a few seconds.
Pg 182-243
Summary:
Dr. Montague's wife arrived with a friend, Arthur. She came with the plan to get in touch with the spirits or 'elements' that disturbed the house via a planchette, a board much like the Ouija board. After a session, she suggested that a nun must have been walled up in a well alive somewhere in the cellar. However, Dr. Montague refuses to temper with the house, since his lease with the owner of the house forbids him. After assigning rooms for Ms. Montague in the nursery, at night, Theodora, Eleanor, and Luke all met in Dr. Montague's room and the shaking began to start. It seemed like all the noise happened in Eleanor's head, an animal paced back and forth outside, and laughter echoed the halls. After a while, it stopped, and all the broken paintings outside had become normal again. The next day, Eleanor and Theodora wrote their notes about what happened that night (that was their original purpose for being in Hill House) and when Eleanor proposed to live with Theodora after leaving Hill House, Theodora asked a question that suggested she wasn't wanted. Eleanor reveals that when she was younger, her mother knocked on the walls and called Eleanor for her medicine, but Eleanor had ignored her, which resulted in the death of her mother. That afternoon, Eleanor, Theodora, and Luke walked to the brook. When Eleanor walked ahead, Theodora and Luke had stayed back in the shade, and when she turned back, she felt her mother's spirit holding her. At night, while Ms. Montague complained that their disbelieve of the planchette was angering the spirit, Eleanor recognized a small melody in the corner of the room, only she could hear. Later in the evening, while everyone slept, Eleanor roamed the halls, calling her mother, she then proceeded to knock on everyone's door, waking them up, and leading them in a wild goose chase. When they caught up with her, she ran into the library and ran up the rusty staircase up the tower. Luke eventually got her down. Next morning, everyone insisted Eleanor leave Hill House, they feared the house was possessing her. Eleanor laughed and insisted staying. She felt the house wanted her to stay. Eleanor refused to leave because she felt Hill House was 'her's'. She drove her car into the tree, killing herself, which allowed her to roam Hill House alone.
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