Character Relationship Map: The Haunting

Characters

• Eleanor Lance (played by Julie Harris) — protagonist

  A psychologically fragile woman who experienced poltergeist activity as a child and spent her adult life caring for her invalid mother. After her mother's death, she joins the investigation, develops...

• Theodora (played by Claire Bloom) — protagonist

  A psychic who joins the investigation of Hill House. She shares Eleanor's fear during the first supernatural disturbances, sleeps in Eleanor's room, and later confronts Eleanor about her feelings for...

• Dr. John Markway (played by Richard Johnson) — supporting

  A doctor and paranormal investigator who narrates Hill House's history and organizes the investigation. He studies the mansion's disturbances, attempts to protect Eleanor, rescues her from the unstabl...

• Luke Sanderson (played by Russ Tamblyn) — supporting

  The heir to Hill House who joins the investigation at the insistence of his relative. Initially skeptical of the reported phenomena, he later concludes that the house should be destroyed after witness...

• Grace Markway (played by Lois Maxwell) — supporting

  Dr. Markway's skeptical wife, who arrives intending to participate in the investigation. She insists on staying in the nursery despite warnings, disappears during the disturbances, and is later found...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Dr. John Markway → Grace Markway (Family Husband) — They are married, and Grace's arrival changes the emotional balance of the investigation.

  Grace Markway arrives as Dr. Markway's wife and says she intends to remain with the group.

• Dr. John Markway → Luke Sanderson (Professional Investigator And Heir) — Luke is connected to the investigation through his position as the heir.

  Luke Sanderson joins the investigation after the house's owner demands that Markway allow him to participate.

• Dr. John Markway → Theodora (Professional Investigator And Specialist) — Markway relies on Theodora as part of the investigative group.

  Dr. John Markway organizes the investigation, and Theodora accepts his invitation as a psychic participant.

• Dr. John Markway → Eleanor Lance (Professional Investigator And Participant) — Markway leads the investigation while Eleanor participates as a sensitive and increasingly affected subject.

  Dr. John Markway invites Eleanor Lance to join his investigation of reported paranormal activity at Hill House.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Grace Markway → Luke Sanderson (Social Investigation Associate) — They are connected through the investigative party and its final crisis.

  Grace joins the group during the investigation, and Luke is present when she is found after Eleanor's crash.

• Eleanor Lance → Luke Sanderson (Social Group Associate) — Their connection is based on shared participation rather than intimacy.

  Eleanor and Luke participate in the same Hill House investigation and witness its disturbances with the others.

• Theodora → Luke Sanderson (Alliance Team Member) — They share membership in the investigative group.

  Theodora and Luke remain with Markway during the investigation and arrive together after Eleanor's car crash.

• Eleanor Lance → Grace Markway (Conflict Jealous Rivalry) — Grace's marriage to Markway intensifies Eleanor's insecurity and fixation on Hill House.

  Eleanor is distressed by Grace's arrival after developing feelings for Markway, and fears Grace will take her place in the house.

• Eleanor Lance → Theodora (Alliance Roommates And Allies) — Their shared room creates physical proximity during the house's most frightening disturbances.

  At Markway's insistence, Theodora moves into Eleanor's room, and they sleep in the adjoining twin beds.

Story Analysis

A vulnerable investigator becomes psychologically and possibly supernaturally absorbed by a sinister house.

Plot Progression

1. The House Calls — Markway assembles a small investigative group at Hill House. Eleanor arrives carrying guilt and a history of unexplained disturbances.
2. Signs In The Walls — The group encounters distorted architecture, moving doors, pounding, laughter, and a disturbing message addressed to Eleanor. The house begins to appear personally connected to her.
3. A Hand In The Dark — Eleanor and Theodora experience an intimate supernatural attack, while Markway discovers a cold spot near the nursery. Their fear is joined by jealousy and emotional confrontation.
4. The Unstable Stair — Grace enters the investigation and disrupts Eleanor's feelings for Markway. A violent disturbance separates Grace from the group and drives Eleanor up the dangerous library staircase.
5. The House Keeps Her — Eleanor refuses to leave, believing the house wants her. Her car crashes into the fatal tree, and the survivors confront the possibility that Hill House caused her death.