58 pages 1 hour read

Jodi Picoult

House Rules

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Character Analysis

Jacob Hunt

Jacob Hunt is a dynamic protagonist whose emotional journey drives House Rules’s exploration of neurodiversity, identity, and the pursuit of justice. As a teenager with autism, Jacob’s character is defined by his unique traits and challenges, including difficulties with social interactions, adherence to routines, and intense focus on specific interests such as forensic science. Jacob’s role in the narrative is multifaceted; he represents the struggles faced by individuals with autism while also embodying resilience, determination, and self-discovery.

One of Jacob’s most prominent character traits is his unwavering passion for forensic science and crime scene investigation. His meticulous attention to detail, logical thinking, and analytical skills make him an expert on the topic, despite societal misconceptions about his capabilities due to his neurodivergence. Jacob’s role as a forensic enthusiast not only serves as a plot device—it foreshadows him becoming embroiled in an investigation in which he is the suspect—but also symbolizes his quest for understanding, truth, and justice in a world that often devalues people with autism.

Because Jacob communicates differently than neurotypical people, he is frequently misunderstood. Other characters assume that he does not feel empathy or emotion. However, Jacob’s first-person

blurred text

blurred text

Related Titles

By Jodi Picoult

Study Guide

logo

A Spark of Light

Jodi Picoult

A Spark of Light

Jodi Picoult

Plot Summary

logo

Between the Lines

Jodi Picoult, Samantha van Leer

Between the Lines

Jodi Picoult, Samantha van Leer

Study Guide

logo

By Any Other Name

Jodi Picoult

By Any Other Name

Jodi Picoult

Study Guide

logo

Handle With Care

Jodi Picoult

Handle With Care

Jodi Picoult

Study Guide

logo

Leaving Time

Jodi Picoult

Leaving Time

Jodi Picoult

Study Guide

logo

Mad Honey

Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan

Mad Honey

Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan

Study Guide

logo

My Sister's Keeper

Jodi Picoult

My Sister's Keeper

Jodi Picoult

Study Guide

logo

Small Great Things

Jodi Picoult

Small Great Things

Jodi Picoult

Study Guide

logo

The Book of Two Ways

Jodi Picoult

The Book of Two Ways

Jodi Picoult

Study Guide

logo

The Storyteller

Jodi Picoult

The Storyteller

Jodi Picoult

Plot Summary

logo

The Tenth Circle

Jodi Picoult

The Tenth Circle

Jodi Picoult

Study Guide

logo

Vanishing Acts

Jodi Picoult

Vanishing Acts

Jodi Picoult

Study Guide

logo

Wish You Were Here

Jodi Picoult

Wish You Were Here

Jodi Picoult