Content Warning: This section contains references to the murder of George Floyd and child abuse.

 “Nothing irritated Senderovsky more than the local version of a traffic jam. He brought a city impatience to the rural life. Around here it was considered impolite to honk, but Senderovsky honked.”

The tension between rural and city residents around the House on the Hill is primarily explored through political signs and sentiments. In this case, it is the everyday action that draws a difference between the groups. Even though a traffic jam in this town is significantly less severe than it might be in the city, Senderovsky is still impatient and honks as if he were in the city.

“Actually, there was a right and a wrong here. Ed reminded her of her husband’s parents. Talking with them was like dealing with a smiling adversary who kept a handful of poisoned toothpicks in his pocket. Every time you let your guard down, there would be a sharp prick at your haunches.”

Masha distrusts Senderovsky’s friends and struggles to connect with them. In this case, with Ed, she sees Senderovsky’s parents in him: Under the smiling façade, she expects him to undercut her when the time is right.

“Senderovsky had failed to notice that, unlike most of his passengers, Vinod did not brace himself against the seat in front of him as he sped off, had not offered a prayer to any god, nor made use of his grab handle as Senderovsky swerved onto the bridge barely pausing to have his toll collected.”

In this early scene, Vinod separates himself from the others by his reaction to Senderovsky’s driving. While everyone else views riding with him as a hazard, Vinod exudes calmness. Not expecting to survive the pandemic, he comes to the House on the Hill to die, and his lack of a reaction to Senderovsky’s driving hints at his intentions.