The Haunting of Hill House: Did Parker Crane Kill His Mother?
The second season of Netflix's hit series, The Haunting of Hill House, entitled The Haunting of Bly Manor introduces a new cast of characters and a new haunted location, but also ties with the first season by featuring a few familiar faces and references. One of these references is Parker Crane, a character that appears briefly in Hill House and who is the focus of Bly Manor's fourth episode. Parker Crane's story raises questions about his past, his mother, and the nature of the ghosts that haunt him.
Parker Crane: The Ghost Boy
In Hill House, Parker Crane appears as a ghost boy that Nell encounters in the house. He is shown wearing a 1940s-style suit, a mask, and carrying a cane. While he never speaks, his presence is eerie and menacing. It is only in Bly Manor that we learn more about Parker Crane's past and how he became a ghost.
The Origin of Parker Crane's Trauma
After the death of his father, Parker's mother became obsessed with making him into the daughter she never had. She dressed him in girls' clothing, forced him to take hormone treatments, and renamed him \"Abigail.\" Parker's mother also physically abused him and kept him locked in a closet. Her abuse left Parker with deep trauma and confusion about his gender identity. In Bly Manor, Parker tells his younger self: \"Nobody cares who you are, Abigail. They only care if you're a boy or a girl. That's all.\" Parker's conflict between who he was and who his mother wanted him to be led him to darker paths.
The Murder of Parker Crane's Mother
In Bly Manor, it is revealed that Parker Crane murdered his mother by throwing her down the well on the estate's grounds, where her body remained until the present day. The question remains: did Parker Crane commit this murder as himself, as Abigail, or as a ghost?
The Nature of Ghosts in Bly Manor
Bly Manor introduces a new concept about the nature of ghosts. Unlike the ghosts in Hill House, who are bound to the house and cannot leave, the ghosts in Bly Manor have a choice to either stay in the place where they died or to leave and roam freely as they desire. They do not always manifest as physical apparitions and can be subtle or overt in their actions. It is unclear whether Parker Crane's mother haunts the estate, but her ghostly presence may still influence her son's actions.
Conclusion
Parker Crane's story is tragic and disturbing, highlighting the effects of child abuse and the struggle of gender identity. While it is certain that he killed his mother, the circumstances and motivations behind the murder vary depending on whether it was done by Parker himself, Abigail, or as a ghost. Bly Manor's exploration of the nature of ghosts adds another layer of mystery to this already complex character.
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