Tung Kim

The footnotes in chapter 4 talks a lot about the mythology of Echo, it seems as if this is going to a base for something to happen, maybe between Navidson and this wife. Wouldn’t you think that if all this is happening to you in your own house you would just kind of leave and move, I think I would do just that. Navidson is so bothered with how the house has incorporated itself into their lives that he turns to a team of people to try and investigate the things that are happening in the house and around it. He has cameras recording all the time, it seems a little too much to me. Whatever is going on with the house the people that are there are going to be pulled in whether they like it or not.


What is the story of Echo and Zeus? Did something like that happen in the house?

After Johnny reads the brown papers he starts to feel really sick and then feel better again, do you think that the house is doing all this?

Hillary is the Navidson's dog and Mallory is their cat ran into the house down the hall way and this right into the backyard? Can this happen?

As Holloway and Navidson's investigate the hallway their minds start to fill up with a sense finding something strange will they find it?

Holloway starts to flirt with Navidson’s wife and he doesn’t like it, does it seem like something is going to happen like the Echo story?

Elisabeth Jeremko

Chapters V through VIII exemplified to a greater extent that Danielewski wants the reader to work. In reading Jorge Luis Borges' "The Postulation of Reality", where he says, "…he does not write reality's initial contacts, but its final elaboration in concepts…"(Borges, 60), this reminded me of how Danielewski presents his story. Of his three methods, I think Danielewski would be using the third and most complex form because he invents circumstances which toy with the concept of a logical reality, adding mystery with the mental sickness aspect. Not only does he go back and forth between the Navidson Record (complete with footnotes of criticism and tangents) and Johnny Truant, but in this section we have begun to delve into the appendices. When I was deciphering the letters to Johnny from his mentally ill mother, I had the sensation of decoding something that would be a grand discovery. The letters were perhaps the most moving aspect of the book yet. We see the reemergence of the idea of "shadow" and "darkness" and "silence". This leads me to think maybe these words reflect forms of mental instability or sickness that isolate these individuals from their loved ones. Johnny Truant's mother describes how she used reams and reams of paper in writing her letters, where these letters contain various references to other languages, Greek mythology, and literature. It seems similar to Zampano's recruitment of outside sources and mode of recording. I want to keep my eye on this parallel between Zampano and P..

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1) What form of "classical postulation of reality" from Borges would match Danielewski's House of Leaves?

2) What is the significance of the pages long listing off of random names on pages 64-67?

3) Who is Billy Reston exactly? Is he actually staying at the house?

4) What propels Tom to leave?

5) Is there any significance to Navidson's foot fungus on page 83? Johnny Truant's mother had mentioned toes in her letters…any correlations?

Janie Cherestal

I particularly liked these four chapters of the novel, for the main focus was on the mystery of the house and the chilling discoveries that Navidson continues to make in it. It is very fun to read about how the house is becoming such a threatening fixture in the characters’ lives, how the relationships between the characters are being affected, and how Navidson’s frantic search for answers has led him to hire a team of “experts” to join in the investigation, furthering the violation of his family’s privacy.
With that, I do have several questions about certain holes that I feel are being left out of the storyline. First, why is the novel titled House of Leaves when leaves or any type of foliage have not been mentioned in the story thus far? What is a possible explanation for Chad’s sudden change in behavior? Why does Johnny seem to lapse into these long, seemingly nonsensical descriptions that do not readily relate to the storyline?

Emily Skahill

I don’t really see why Zampano wrote so much about echoes. It seems irrelevant to me. I think it makes it harder for me follow the story when Latin and phrases and mathematical equations are used. Truant’s obsession is growing and I still don’t fully understand why Zampano’s story and his life are affecting Truant in such an intense way. Why is he feeling like something is following him to the point of throwing up. Why is Truant, excuse my language, such a dirtbag? Is that why he is so obsessed with Zampano?  I’m not sure a sane person would act that way. I’m also still confused about certain things; for example, if Zampano is blind why does he always write about seeing a character in the film do something?   At first I was scared when the doors appeared but now it’s sort of annoying. What else is going to happen? I mean, if I was in the Navidson’s situation I would be completely freaked out but it’s getting old now. Why did Karen’s personality change from outgoing to introverted? Is there a point to all the names? Personally I don’t know how Navidson knew to use echoes and pennies to find his way. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of that. Its really hard for me to grasp that this book is not at all true and that the Navidson Record is not a real film. There is no such person as Zampano and no such person and Johnny Truant.

Katherine Tesi

Within these chapters, Johnny’s insanity surely becomes more apparent. His stories and experiences become crazier and his obsessions are obvious. The reader is introduced to “Thumper”, the older stripper who Johnny becomes oddly infatuated with. Johnny’s fascination with Zampano’s manuscript is clearly beginning to control and drive Johnny’s life. He even has another hallucination at work in the stockroom, falling and sending a tray of tattoo ink and needles through the air. He also touches on his past, referencing not only his father’s death and his entrance and exit into many foster homes but also his habit towards fighting during school. Towards the end of the reading, Johnny goes to a casual dinner with “Thumper”, who seems truly interested in Zampano’s manuscript and the changes in Johnny’s life since its arrival.
Navidson and Karen discover another unexpected addition to their house, this time a hallway in their living room. Navidson’s brother Tom remains with the family the majority of the time still striving for an answer with Navidson. A door is installed to the new hallway, but one evening after a fight, Navidson ventures into the hallway. He discovers that not only is the new area dark and cold, but also ever changing. Walls shift, hallways widen and ceilings drop with no notice. When he finally makes it out of the hallway, with the help of Daisy, he decides to not tell Karen of the incident. Reston returns with Holloway Roberts, Jed Leeder and Wax Hook who plan to explore the hallway. After multiple explorations and a list of new discoveries, they decide to go on a five day excursion. When they don’t yet return by day eight and Navidson and family hear a potential Morse Code knocking of SOS on their walls, Navidson decides to go into the hallway himself.

1. On page 63, what is the purpose of the blanks left in Zampano’s writing?
2. Why are the Navidson’s pets excluded from the happenings of the hallway?
3. Why does Zampano use different symbols for the footnote markings rather than just numbers?

Alyson Bernero

This section of the reading got much more intriguing as Zampano discusses the problems he has encountered in more depth. He is forced to turn to friends for help as the issues within the home become more and more puzzling. The new problems in the home are causing even more problems between Navy and Karen as Karen's claustrophobia is revealed. Her phobia causes her to pull away from her husband and put a strain on their relationship. With the help of his friends, Navy takes several trips into the hallway against the wishes of Karen, each time finding himself with more questions than answers.

Johnny's many problems also become more numerous during this section of the book. It seems as though he spends most of his time under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Perhaps he uses it as a way to escape from the failures of his life. He talks in depth about his desire for Thumper, the stripper and the problems he had with his father when he was a child.

1) Why is Karen so reluctant to get close to her husband?
2) What is going on inside the house?
3) Where is the growling coming from if animals cannot go down the hallway?

Robert Stevens

As the story continues, Zampanò trails off on a tangent about echo. First discussing the two Greek myths regarding the nymph Echo, and then discussing the science of the echo (why it exitsts, etc.) Karen's claustrophobia is revealed here as well...which may have been the result of childhood trauma she experienced sometime when she was 13 years old. After deciding he is in over his head when it comes to exploring the hallway and its subsequent rooms, he enlists the help of Holloway and his team to pick up where he leaves off. Each expedition they undertake subsequently takes longer than the one that preceded it. On the 4th excursion they don't even come back before chapter VIII ends, thus prompting the combat photographer in Will to mount a rescue attempt.

Johnny Truant's side of this story is getting more involved. He is now smitten by a stripper he calls "Thumper" ...he frequently discusses his numerous one night stands, and is beginning to open up somewhat about his past, including the story of how his foster father broke his tooth when he was young. He is also frequently under the influence of drugs and alcohol, which hinders his ability to stay on track. He is also being "persued" by a "beast" be it in his own mind, or real, it is having a profound effect on his psyche.

Questions:

1. Why do they still refer to him as Navidson? (even Karen calls him "Navy")
--They use Tom Navidson's first name to depict him, why not Will's?

2. Why can't animals go down this hallway?

3. The "beast" that Johnny sees seems to be associated with anyone that is associated with Zampanò, including Zampanò himself...why is this?

4. Where is the growling noise coming from?

and last, but certainly not least....

5. Where do Holloway, Wax and Jed go when they have to use the toilet during these expeditions?

Blog name suggestions:

The best damn blog, period.

BlogHouse.

Kristin Todd

After reading last class's assignment, I wasn't intrigued by the book.  But, that has definitely changed this week.  The story line has thickened and the true story of The Navidson Record has come out.  The mixture of the footnotes and the actual story still doesn't make sense to me because I don't see the connection yet, but they are both very interesting to read.  One interesting part towards the end of the reading foreshadows an upcoming event because it says that Navidson found the tape of Karen and Wax after it happened.  But that it was too late because she was already gone.  It's going to be interesting finding out what happened to Karen.  

Discussion Questions:

Why does Danielewski set up some of the pages with only a few words?

What does Johnny's story in the footnotes have to do with Navidson's story?

Michael Lampasona

After Karen's scream, the novel goes into a long explanation about echoes. This starts with the mythological significance of echoes and then progresses into their scientific explanation. At first I did not see why echoes were explained in depth, but eventually the book reveals that echoes are important, not only because of Zampano's blindness, but also because of the way Navidson hears his echoes in the hallway (when he almost gets lost).

Later on, the story moves how the pets were able to make it from the mystery hallway to the backyard, meanwhile Navidson had almost got lost in it. Navidson's and Karen's relationship continues to be strained, mainly because Karen does not want him to go near the hallway. This is due to her extreme claustrophobia. Later on, the professionals are sent to explore the house and explorations just lead to more fear regarding the house.

I have not discussed Johnny's part of the story in these chapters. He mostly discusses his drug binges, his odd fearful encounters which feel real and lead him with real scars, and continues in depth about his obsession with Thumper. I find his commentary adds to the novel, however I certainly do not like certain sections (such as the explanation about cats), which were very hard to read.

So here's my discussion questions...

1. Why do the animals have a different reaction to the hallway?
2. What caused Karen's transformation from outgoing to extremely introverted when she was young?
3. Is the repetitive list of photographers pointless?
4. What happened during the exploration of the hallway by the professionals?

Natalya Gornopolskaya

For the climactic ending of the fourth chapter, we hear Karen screaming; this then is addressed minimally in chapter five as Zampanò delves into a long, contrived discussion on echoes. We then get to learn more about Johnny Truant as he talks about several one-night-stands and finds himself falling for an exotic dancer named Thumper. This sort of attraction is very unexpected for a man like Johnny. He seems too focused on the physical part of a relationship in order for him to truly care for someone. Though, I do see it as a good match, since because both of them are uninhibited and controversial. We learn that Karen suffers from severe claustrophobia, which is the reason why she makes Will promise that he’ll stop exploring the house. Then one night two celebrities come visit Will. As they drink together, Will shows off the hallway and angers Karen, causing him to sleep on the downstairs couch for the night. Will is unable to sleep and allows his curiosity to get the best of him by entering the hallway. Much to his surprise, the hallway consists of several rooms; all are very dark and constantly shifting making it very difficult to navigate oneself. Will would’ve been lost forever in that hallway, were it not for the cries of his daughter Daisy that brought him home. Deciding it’s better to leave their paranormal investigations to the professionals, the Navidsons hire Holloway, Jed and Wax to do the job. Holloway and Will tend to butt heads because both men like to be in control over a situation. Will is jealous of Holloway since Karen will not allow him to go into the hallway again. The three men go on three separate explorations with each consecutive one lasting much longer than the other. By the time they go exploring for a fourth time, over eight days have passed and it appears something has gone terribly wrong.

Questions:

1. Why do the three men continue to explore the house, what are they looking for?

2. Why can’t Will Navidson lead the exploration?

3. How is it that Johnny keeps seeing visions of a beast?

4. Why has Chad become so troublesome?

5. Will we ever get more details on Johnny’s past?

New Names for Blog: Bookish Feedback; Bookworm Rants; Society Responds; Shout House

Kristy Medina

House of Leaves: Chapters V-VIII

Chapter 5 mainly deals with an intrusion of "others" into the house. Simultaneously, an echo was broken down to an exact science while Zampano spoke more about vulgarizes and objectifies women. I feel that he's juxtaposing the serious, mysterious, and dark tone of the Navidson Record with a more satirical tone. The chapter also looks deeper into the relationship between Karen and Navy. It is noticed that the relationship has not been the same and looking at it psychologically it is because Karen is truly afraid of the dark. Navidson on the other hand loves to explore and wants to find out the truth behind his house. Chapter 6 is brief discussing (or maybe foreshadowin) an event that will occur with animals which might be of some importance later on. Personally, it has gotten to a point where I'd much rather read about the house and Navidson than the random footnotes. I'm really into the house and what it will do next rather than the foodnotes addlibs.

Questions:
1. Was the abduction real or all a dream?
2. Is this all happening in Navy's head and no one else realizes it?
3. How will Karen's and Navy's relationship change (for better or for worst)?
4. What did the animals provide in the 6th chapter.

Julie Morvitz

Chapters V-VIII

At the beginning of Chapter V, I wondered why the echo was brought up and what it had to do with the story.  I had never thought that echo would have more than one interpretation before, because I had never thought of it other than something very simple. I found out while reading the chapter that in order to understand the Navidson house, one would also have to understand the myths concerning echos.  I liked that Truant had wondered the same thing that I had, until Zampano spoke about being alone. 

            After reading of Karen’s past, I was very surprised.  I wondered what had made Karen’s life change so drastically in her 15^th year, and why no one but her sister had noticed it.  I also wondered if this had anything to do with why she is claustrophobic now, and why she is terrified of the house, in contrast to Navidson. 

            As Navidson’s curiosity got the better of him and he went into the hallway, I was unsure of how his adventure would pan out.  I found this part very gripping, because I didn’t know if or how Navidson would get out of the maze.  I also had this same thought when Holloway’s crew trekked into the hallway a few times, and ventured to the unknown staircase.  As I came to the end of Chapter VIII, I wanted to find out what had happened to Holloway and his team.   

Questions

1.  Why does Karen’s condition get worse as she gets more intimate with her family?

2.  Why doesn’t the house allow animals into its secret passageways?

3.  What do you think happened to Holloway and his team?

Carly Cooper

Carly Cooper
House of Leave
Chapters V-VII

I am realizing now how interesting it is the way that this book is written. At first the footnotes seemed very detached from the story of the Navidson Record but now I realize they are placed in the middle of the story where Johnny Truant has some sort of reaction. Though once he has reacted he usually goes on a new tangents about something with minimal relationship to the story. It is as if through Navidson’s story we learn who Johnny Truant is and how he is affected by the story.
I’m wondering why Navidson’s story is often interrupted by frequent lessons about physics (echoes) and life within science (animals), from my perspective it would have been perfectly acceptable to explain the largeness and emptiness of the “great hall” and other areas of the space but just saying that it had echoes and it was cold and very large. Why is it that we must learn the very source of echoes in general?
Also the way Truant writes is awful, it is difficult to even follow what he is saying because the writing is so bad. I am wondering if maybe the author believes that writing with page long run-on sentences and bad spelling gives some Truant some sort of character trait or personality trait.

Nian Liu

Chapters IV-VIII

Chapters 4 through 8 brings us deeper into the book allowing more mysterious pathways and climatic events to happen. As Karen forbids Navidson to enter the dark frightening hallway, it only fed Navidson's curiosity even more. Navidson eventually enters the hallway and finds himself walking in circles and is chased by the echo of a monsterous growl. He escapes with the help of his daughter Daisy's cries and brings her back upstairs where Karen awaits him. The couples make up and that night was the one of the rare nights where the couples show apathy and Karen apologizes to Navidson for being so uptight about going into the hallway. Navidson seeing this perfect opportunity to bring their relationship to the way it was in the past he resists in telling Karen that he broke his promise in going into the hallway. The story continues with different fluxes of climatic events where Navidson calls for his team of "explorers", Tom and Reston after his strange encounterment inside the dark realm of his hallway. After Karen finds out Navidson backed out on her terms in not exploring the house their relation sinks back to neglect and distaste. The team of explorers go into the dark realm many times and find themselves stuck as they lose themselves to a maze of staircases. Will they ever make it out? We'll find out in the next couple of chapters.
As for the footnotes, Johnny Traunt fantasizes about "Thumper" the stripper that he met at the shop. He goes on about predicting on the outfit the woman is going to wear and actually comes to work early which surprises his boss. Not seeing the girl, Traunts boss asks him to go upstairs and pick up some materials. As he goes upstairs he is surrounded by the same darkness that was discribed by Navidson's Records and he starts seeing a "shape of a shape of a shape of a face." He then falls down the stairs and feels a clawing on the back of his head. We learn that as the text goes deeper into the book, Johnny seems to be extremely into the old man's writings and everything he sees start to connect to the writings.
Questions:
1) Question for Johnny Traunt is that what was it that clawed him? Was it the materials that clawed him or actually something from the shadows upstairs?
2)Is the whole ramble about "echos" in the story and getting lost in a dark hallway describing a dimension the Old man created to relate to his blindness?
3) Question for Navidson is, if he went into the hallway and almost found himself lost in the darkness, why didn't he stop and called up the New York Times for a professional exploration team to solve the mystery?

Victoria Gornopolskaya

Chapters 4-8 bring about more interesting information and revelations within both the story of Johnny Truant and The Navidson Record. We learn how large the hallway truly is when Navidson decides to explore it in the middle of the night. We also learn it shifts so one may mark his place in the hallway and still stay lost forever. Navidson almost did get lost forever but thankfully his daughter's cry helped him find the way back. When he plays with his daughter and asks her what game she would like to play, she says "always" implying "hallways" though Navidson is completely oblivious to that. This foreshadows that the children may end up exploring the hallways themselves which is a terrifying thought. Navidson has in a way cheated on Karen by going in the hallway when he promised not to. Karen responds by kissing Wax in a later chapter. The narrative states that by the time Navidson finds out about this she is gone and nothing matters anymore which is also a terrifying use of foreshadowing in the chapters. The explorers venture into the hallways 4 times discovering the immense staircase among the immense size of the entire hall. The explorers take days to go down the staircase and encounter many obstacles, leaving me unsure if they will ever make it back. As for Johnny Truant, we learn about his sexcapades, Thumper, and his growing anxiety.
Questions:
1. Is Johnny really getting attacked or is it all in his head?
2. What happened to Johnny's real father?
3. Will Navidson eventually explore the halls some more?
4. What problems will Holloway continue to cause?
-Name for blog: House of Literature

John Bonhomme Jr.

The Navidson story last ended with a climax where the books dropped off the shelves and Karen began to scream. However this part was never explained in the book because the next chapter picked up with a scientific explanation of echoes. This chapter was weird, until the last page of the chapter. It rambled about echoes and their history, but it wasn't apparent as to why? At least until the last page where the word always is used as a spin off on hallways. This was a weird chapter in my opinion. The next few chapters picked up the plot where Will has called in a team of explorers to explore the mysterious hallway. They explored the hallway four times, but on their fourth attempt something has gone wrong. Johnny Truant's story has become more understanding. At points he does go off into incomprehensible tangents, however not as much as in the first four chapters. His life is starting to fall into place and the mind barriers which were present in chapters I to IV are beginning to reveal themselves.
Questions: Why is Will so obsessed with exploring the hallway?
Why did Karen cheat on Will?
Why is everyone but Will going to leave the house eventually?
Name for Blog: House of Blogs.