The House Of Seven Gables Analysis

Nathaniel Hawthorne begins his novel The House of Seven Gables with a preface that explains the context of the novel. Hawthorne explains that the tale is set in a New England town in a house with seven gables. This house had been home to the Pyncheon family for many generations, and before that it belonged to Matthew Maule. During the 1600’s Maule was accused of wizardry and was hung for it. It is mentioned that many people believed that Colonel Pyncheon was the reason for the death of Maule and that when Pyncheon passed away it was because of this. The land is transferred into the Pyncheon family. The second chapter begins with the introduction of Hepzibah Pyncheon, an old woman who resides in the house with seven gables. She has had to open up a shop in her house to provide enough money to be able to survive. The same day that the shop opened a new character named Phoebe is introduced. She is from a farm out in the countryside and had come to stay with her cousin Hepzibah. Phoebe is young and full of life, which is a direct comparison to Hepzibah who is older and sees no joy in life anymore. Clifford is also introduced: he is Hepzibah’s brother who just got back from prison …show more content…
When they go to meet him, they find the Judge murdered in his chair. Clifford and Hepzibah flee in fear of being accused of Judge Pyncheon’s murder. Phoebe returns after this event to find that Holgrave is the only remaining person within the house of seven gables. He informs her that the curse had been lifted off of the Pyncheon family. Holgrave informs Phoebe that he loves her and she informs him that the feeling is mutual. The Judge’s inheritance goes to Clifford. Hepzibah, Phoebe, Holgrave, Uncle Verner, and Clifford all move to the Judges country house leaving the house of seven gables to