Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of drug/alcohol addiction and psychological/sexual abuse.

The House in the Pines is a meditation on the way imagination and stories shape our experience of the world. Stories help us understand where we come from, influence our relationships, and help us make sense of our experiences. In the wrong hands, however, stories can manipulate reality and identity. Maya has a strong imagination, which makes her vulnerable to Frank’s stories and what Dr. Barry calls magical thinking—the attribution to the supernatural events that are better explained rationally. However, Maya’s imagination is also a gift that makes her a writer, like her father.

Stories are a positive force for Maya and her most important relationships are built on this appreciation. For Maya, stories illuminate a person’s true values. Aubrey and Maya become friends in English class over a shared love of poetry. Maya and Dan similarly connect over their interest in Greek myth. Maya also connects with her parents, especially her father, through stories. Brenda keeps Jairo alive for Maya by telling her about their time together in Guatemala; Maya learns even more through Jairo’s unfinished manuscript. This connection to history, literature, and folklore forms the foundation for Maya’s most important relationships.