Born in Salem, Massachusetts in 1804, Nathaniel Hawthorne was a descendant of one Judge Hathorne who had been a member of the tribunal that sentenced 20 people to death for witchcraft in 1692. As readers of The House of the Seven Gables will soon discover, the family history loomed large in Hawthornes mind. He was …
The House of the Seven Gables: Biography: Nathaniel Hawthorne Read More »
Of their legal tenure [in the House] there could be no question; but old Matthew Maule, it is to be feared, trode downward from his own age to a far later one, planting a heavy footstep, all the way, on the conscience of a Pyncheon. If so, we are left to dispose of the awful …
The theme of appearances versus reality looms large in The House of the Seven Gables. For instance, readers should consider Holgraves remarks on the differences between painting and photography. The daguerreotype technique was still relatively new at the time this novel appeared; Louis J. M. Daguerre, the process inventor and for whom it is named, …
Summary: Judge Pyncheons high reputation in society dies along with him, for the true events surrounding the death of his uncle, also named Jaffrey, now come to light. Holgrave learns the truth “from one of those mesmerical seers, who, now-a-days, so strangely perplex the aspect of human affairs, and put everybodys natural vision to the …
The House of the Seven Gables: Novel Summary: Chapter 21 Read More »
Character ProfilesColonel Pyncheon: The proud, aristocratic builder of the House of the Seven Gables who died a sudden and mysterious death as soon as the House was completed. Colonel Pyncheon had some part in ensuring Matthew Maule`s execution in order to seize Maule`s land.Matthew Maule: The humble, original owner of the land on which the …
The House of the Seven Gables: Character Profiles Read More »
Chapter 20Summary: Holgrave is the person who let Phoebe into the House. He tells her that Jaffrey is dead. He does not know where Clifford and Hepzibah have gone, although he wishes they had not fled, for he fears it will make Clifford look responsible for the Judges death. The Judge died, according to Holgrave, …
The House of the Seven Gables: Novel Summary: Chapter 20 Read More »
Summary: Uncle Venner ventures out into the neighborhood the morning after the storm and makes his way to the House of the Seven Gables to collect leftovers from the evening meal to feed his pig, as is his custom. He is surprised when no one responds to his knocking at the door. Holgrave, occupying his …
The House of the Seven Gables: Novel Summary: Chapter 19 Read More »
Chapter 18Summary: In the parlor of the House of the Seven Gables, Judge Pyncheon sits in the ancestral chair, not moving, not stirring. Hours pass. The narrator tells us about the busy day the Judge had planned for himself, including a dinner meeting at which he and his friends would plot his rise to the …
The House of the Seven Gables: Novel Summary: Chapter 18 Read More »
Chapter 17Summary: Hepzibah and Clifford board a train and begin their journey. The most mundane sights of the world passing by outside only increase Cliffords excitement, while Hepzibah wonders if she is truly awake or if this whole experience is a dream. Clifford engages the trains conductor in conversation. When the conductor suggests that people …
The House of the Seven Gables: Novel Summary: Chapter 17 Read More »
Summary: Hepzibah, in great trepidation, goes to Cliffords room to tell him that Jaffrey wants to see him. On her way, she passes through the room where Holgrave is staying. She does not find him there, but she does find his photographic portrait of Jaffrey, and feels that fate is staring her “in the face.” …
The House of the Seven Gables: Novel Summary: Chapter 16 Read More »
