House of Leaves: Analysis of the Labyrinth Symbolism

'House of leaves' is an American novel about a titular house whose interior is larger than it may seem from the outside. This idea itself makes me shiver, not exactly from being afraid of the concept but just its uncanniness. The sense of unnaturalness is even deeper when a reader is becoming more and more immersed in the inner world of the book, whose story is surprisingly quite simple. After the famous photographer, Will Navidson, moved into the new house with his family, he became obsessively fascinated about the inadequacy with the building's dimensions.

Will and his friends discover that in the interior of the house exist a literal labyrinth, infinite and indefinite. It turns out to be a trap imprisoning people in a madness, like it does with Will, who becomes obsessed with coming back to the labyrinth again and again.

But not only does the structure exist, it also isn't permanent and logical - its structure changes all the time, tricking the characters to be trapped in the labyrinth longer and longer. The corridors may become by rotation longer and shorter or broaden and narrow itself, stairs may elongate or shorten and the roof may elevate or lower. It causes a both claustrophobic and agoraphobic feeling of a reader. In short, the titular house is itself the picture of literal madness.