NEW Version: • The House of the Seven...
"The House of the Seven Gables" is a novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and first published in 1851. The story revolves around the Pyncheon family and their ancestral home, a gloomy mansion with a dark history.
The novel begins with the Pyncheon family's patriarch, Colonel Pyncheon, being involved in the wrongful accusation and subsequent execution of a man named Matthew Maule, who was accused of witchcraft. Maule's curse on the Pyncheon family and their property sets the stage for the unfolding drama.
Years later, the descendants of the Pyncheon family, including Hepzibah and Clifford Pyncheon, live in the decaying House of the Seven Gables. Hepzibah, an elderly spinster, struggles to maintain the household and eke out a living. Clifford, her brother, returns home after serving time in prison for a crime he did not commit.
As the story progresses, the Pyncheon family's dark secrets are gradually revealed, and the curse of the house looms large over their lives. Themes of guilt, redemption, and the consequences of the past play out against the backdrop of the eerie mansion.
"The House of the Seven Gables" explores issues of class, morality, and the impact of the past on the present. It is celebrated for its rich symbolism, intricate characterizations, and atmospheric setting, making it a classic of American literature.