The House of the Seven Gables

Synopsis

The House of the Seven Gables is a Gothic novel written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, an American novelist remembered for his contribution to Romantic Movement, especially Dark romanticism.

This novel has been written based on the inspiration from the author’s cousin’s house earlier owned by the author’s family. The novel opens with the current resident of the haunted house Hepzibah Pyncheon, who opens a shop inside the house to support her brother Clifford Pyncheon, who has been imprisoned for thirty years for a murder. The story of the haunted house is narrated by Holgrave who is boarded the haunted house.

Matthew Maule, who originally built the house, was executed for practicing witchcraft and the house is seized by Colonel Pyncheon, father of Hepzibah. Maule laid a curse on the Pyncheon’s and within few days Colonel Pyncheon was found dead in a chair. His portrait is still available in one of the rooms to remind the dark past.

Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon, Cousin of Hepzibah was threatening the Pyncheons for a lost deed which will fetch him a wealthy treasure. He fabricates a murder and sends Clifford to imprisonment. Later it is revealed that the deed was available behind the portrait of by Colonel Pyncheon.

In the preceding incidents Clifford’s innocence was proved. Holgrave, a descendant of Maule, falls in love with Hepzibah and the couple vacates the haunted house to lead a peaceful life.

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