House of Hollow

Analyze Sutherland’s strategic use of clues in House of Hollow. Which clues create momentum, and what do they foreshadow? For instance, how do lines like “The curved windows on the other side of the train carriage reflected a strange beast back at me. There were two Irises: one my regular reflection, one upside down, both joined at the skull” (60) build suspense and foreshadow future plot points?

In what ways does Iris’s perspective of Grey change throughout the novel, and why? Compare Iris’s relationship with Grey at the beginning and end of the novel. Furthermore, how does Iris’s perspective of herself change upon learning more about Grey? Cite textual evidence in your answers.

Iris describes her and her sisters in one line: “Grey was lightning, Vivi was thunder and I was the sea in the tempest” (69). Do you agree or disagree with these metaphors? Why or why not?