Welcome to Dead House

This section opens with Amanda having trouble sleeping and having frightening experiences in the nighttime, which is a nod to how things often seem more frightening in the dark. This also suggests to the reader that perhaps Amanda is just creeped out by the house, aligning the reader’s doubtful perspective with that of Amanda. The reader can almost believe that there is no daytime threat because it seems plausible that these things could be nighttime terrors. The dream Amanda has of being dead is a sign of what could come and thematically introduces Survival Instincts in Dire Circumstances in that Amanda will do anything to keep the dream from coming true. The dream also foreshadows her family discovering that the people of the town are the living dead. Amanda’s friend knocking on the door in the dream additionally suggests how much Amanda misses her old life and foreshadows that she and her family will escape Dark Falls to return to the home they knew before. When considering this dream within the context of the rest of the story, it is clear what the elements represent. For Amanda, however, the dream is even more frightening in its ambiguity.

When the girl appears on the landing in Chapter 7, Amanda begins to consider that the threat is not just in her head or limited to the night, though all of her doubt is not removed until she discovers her dog’s death later in the novel. Though she’s seen and experienced strange things and visions prior to this, the appearance of the girl combined with the frightening dream make Amanda realize that there is something strange going on in the town and with its people. Amanda’s father doesn’t see the girl or believe that Amanda saw her, which calls to The Benefits of Teamwork and Trust and shows how adults often dismiss the concerns of children, breaking a sense of allyship and mutual understanding during formative years. Amanda’s dad is busy, and he doesn’t want to be bothered by his daughter seeing things because it takes valuable time away from what he’s doing. Amanda and Josh’s parents don’t see or acknowledge the strangeness of Dark Falls until they are captured in the book’s final chapters. As adults, their busy lives and focus on tasks that need completing keep them from noticing the strangeness and danger of Dark Falls.

When Amanda and Josh meet the other kids of the town, they initially assume the best in their new peers, eager to find a sense of normalcy and companionship in the town. Both kids want to make friends and be accepted. When the kids surround Amanda and Josh in a threatening fashion, Amanda again dismisses the possibility that something is amiss because of her self-confidence. Still, the new kids act strangely in Chapter 9, which is then countered by how friendly and fun they are in Chapter 10, furthering the confusing and unsettling tone for the reader.

The arrival of Mr. Dawes in Chapter 10 acts as a red herring in the story. They are familiar with Mr. Dawes, and he appears to save them in this moment, suggesting again that he is their ally. Thus, when Amanda and Josh are in danger later, they immediately trust Mr. Dawes because they believe he is also a victim of the town, which allows Mr. Dawes to bring them to the cemetery. Here, Mr. Dawes represents how things are not always as they appear, as well as the benefits of teamwork and trust. His appearance and personality are a lie meant to win trust that should not be given.