The author, Horacio Quiroga, does not directly describe the house as hostile. Instead, he uses a sense of growing unease and a pervasive feeling of oppression to create an atmosphere that is increasingly claustrophobic and menacing.
Here are some key elements that contribute to this feeling:
* The Setting: The story takes place in a secluded, isolated house, which already implies a sense of confinement. The house is described as dark, with "heavy" curtains, contributing to a feeling of gloom and isolation.
* The Character of the Husband: The husband, while seemingly loving, is portrayed as withdrawn and emotionally distant. He exhibits a lack of empathy and is more interested in his own comfort than his wife's well-being.
* The Symbolic Feather Pillow: The feather pillow itself becomes a symbol of oppression and entrapment. It's described as suffocating and heavy, mirroring the suffocating atmosphere of the house and the husband's oppressive presence.
* The Wife's Illness: The wife's increasingly debilitating illness and eventual death are portrayed as a direct result of the suffocating environment and the lack of care she receives.
It's important to note that the story's focus is not on the physical hostility of the house itself, but rather on the psychological and emotional environment created by the husband and the circumstances surrounding the wife's illness. The house becomes a symbol of this oppressive environment, amplifying the feelings of claustrophobia and unease.
Therefore, while the house isn't explicitly described as hostile, its oppressive atmosphere and symbolic weight contribute to the story's overall sense of dread and foreshadow the tragic fate of the wife.