Post an individual response to 3 of these questions or essay topics for individual credit.
Your post should show evidence of critical thinking and reference to the text.
Your 3 posts are due on Monday, May 24, for full credit.
1. Who would you say is the principal protagonist of The House of the Seven Gables? Who is the principal antagonist?
2. In the Preface, Hawthorne claims his book is a romance rather than a novel. Romances need not deal with “everyday, ordinary things” and usually incorporate fantastic elements. Do you think that
The House of the Seven Gables is more of a romance or a novel? Should it be classified as another genre altogether?
The House of the Seven Gables is, in fact, a skillful blending of both narrative approaches. The book contains some fantastic elements, but most of these never stray far from reality. Two scenes—the two Maule ghosts restraining the spirit of Colonel Pyncheon and the ghosts parading in front of the dead Judge—are too fantastical to have actually occurred, but one is presented as a vision of Alice Pyncheon’s and the other as speculation on the narrator’s part. The hypnotic powers of the young Matthew Maule and Holgrave are certainly eerie and mystical, but hypnosis does exist, and therefore these scenes are not entirely fantastical. While
The House of the Seven Gables does not belong to the horror genre, it does incorporate many elements of horror, sharing with the horror genre the realization that the greatest shock value can be created by making things too horrible to be true but not so awful that they can’t be believed. By straddling the line between the romance and the novel, and by refusing to commit entirely to any genre, Hawthorne makes his work shocking but also thought-provoking. He creates a work of fiction that entertains and teaches with a fantastical plot that is also rich with literary and historical themes.
3. Discuss the role of “fate” in the novel. How much of the Pyncheons’ bad luck is caused by fate, and how much results from their own actions and choices?
At the beginning of
The House of the Seven Gables, fate is believed to direct the fortunes of Hepzibah and Clifford. The novel indulges this belief with its graphic descriptions of a curse that has worked itself into the very walls of the house. As the story progresses, however, we begin to wonder if other elements are not also at work. Holgrave’s revolutionary doctrine of tearing down the houses of the dead implies that Clifford and Hepzibah become complicit in their persecution by being passive. They accept the cruelty they are handed with a meekness that borders on irresponsibility. The rest of the Pyncheons also appear to be partly responsible for their own bad luck: Maule’s curse seems to affect only those who are driven by excessive ambition and greed, while the more docile members of the family seem to lead happy lives. To a certain extent, the novel does put a lot of stock in fate, which is demonstrated by its eloquent passages depicting the house as an inescapable prison. Nonetheless, the story also suggests repeatedly that fate is simply another obstacle to overcome, and that our ultimate destiny always remains ours to determine.
Suggested Essay Topics
1. Discuss the presence of decay and decaying things in
The House of the Seven Gables. What does decay symbolize in the novel?
2. Can Clifford be considered a good person? How is his goodness or malice reflected in the way he treats Phoebe and Hepzibah?
3. Discuss the role of hypnotism and mesmerism in
The House of the Seven Gables.
4. How is Phoebe different from all the other characters in the novel? Does she resemble any one character more than the others? If so, why?
5. Why does Hepzibah continue to refuse the Judge’s offers of financial help? Can these offers be viewed as genuine, or are there by ulterior motives?
2. Hawthorne claims that The House of the Seven Gables is a romance rather than a novel. However, it can be included into both genres. Like romances, The House of the Seven Gables frequently incorporates magical and mystical elements. But, contrarily, everyday ordinary situations are still present.
ReplyDeleteFantastical events do occur in The House of the Seven Gables, which contributes to inclusion as a romance. For example, Matthew Maule was killed under the suspicion of witchcraft. Also, Maule curses the entire Pyncheon family when he says, “God will give the Pyncheons blood to drink!” In addition, Holgrave, a descendent of Maule, tells a story in which one of his ancestors hypnotized Alice Pyncheon, and as he is narrating this tale, he too hypnotizes Phoebe.
However, with all the magic present in the novel, the characters still partake in ordinary events as well. There are several descriptions of Clifford taking walks in the garden and he and Phoebe spending their days in the house. Also, Hepzibah runs the store from the house, which is out of the ordinary for her family, but ordinary in the fact that she is simply trying to make a living. Thus, Hawthorne’s The House of the Seven Gables can fit into both romance and novel because it incorporates both magical and simple elements.
1. Decay is a prominent motif in The House of the Seven Gables present most profoundly in the house itself. The house is in serious disrepair, with shingles falling off and the roof caving in. Also, the interior has suffered greatly from age and the furniture is outdated. The garden around the house is also described to be in a poor state; it has been taken over by weeds and its summerhouse is damaged. Also, the chickens that take up residence at the house of the seven gables are unhealthy and unfed and near death.
The decay that surrounds the Pyncheon family is representative of the state of the family itself. As everything around them becomes increasingly outdated and damaged, they follow suit. Clifford’s physical and mental health suffer and Phoebe and Hepzibah also undergo changes in attitude and appearance. These qualities contrast those of the previous generations of residents in the house, who were beautiful and wealthy. However, the Pyncheons are able to turn the decay into renewal and revive their family by moving out of the decaying house.
4. Phoebe is undoubtedly very different from the other residents of the house of the seven gables. Because she was brought up in the country and lived in a rural setting her whole life previous to moving into the house, she has a different outlook on life. She is, upon arriving at the house, significantly more optimistic than the bitter Hepzibah and depressed Clifford. She is considered “a breath of fresh air” in the house. Also, while she and Holgrave are both young and sprightly, her views differ from his because he believes in flying by the seat of his pants, while Phoebe thinks things should be planned in advance.
Phoebe could be considered similar to her ancestor, Alice Pyncheon because they share several similar traits. For instance, both are young and beautiful and sought after by gentleman callers. And, more importantly, both succumb to the mesmerism of members of the Maule family.
2. When Hawthorne classifies House of the Seven Gables as a romance, which he is how he wanted the story to be perceived, but in actuality, it could be classified as both a romance and a novel. Firstly, the book does incorporate many "fantastical elements", considering that one of the major themes is that a curse has been placed on the Pyncheon family by Matthew Maule after he is hanged for suspicion of witchcraft and it continues to haunt the family hundreds of years later. After Maule promises that "God will give him blood to drink," various Pyncheon family members die under mysterious and seemingly abrupt causes. However, House of the Seven Gables still maintains the realistic quality that shows how a family can itself decay without a "curse" needing to be on it. As the aristocratic society of New England, so does the Pyncheon family, and that has nothing to do with what Maule cursed upon them. The best explanation for Hawthorne categorizing House of the Seven Gables as a romance in the preface of the novel is so the ghostly and supernatural elements within the story would be accepted in a society where realist stories had the greatest prevalence. He justifies breaking commonalities of the time by claiming he totally intended his novel to be a romance, rather than just a novel, although it incorporates bits of both.
ReplyDelete2. Clifford definitely can be considered a good person, despite behavior that may point otherwise. Honestly, though, any innocent man who spent thirty years in jail for a crime he didn't commit would be hardened by the experience. He is incredibly nasty to Hepzibah, even though she adores him to the greatest extent, but he is so ruined by his years in prison, most of his behavior shouldn't be taken personally. Clifford's time in jail made him revert to almost animalistic traits - for instance, reacting so powerfully whenever the Judge comes near him (due mostly to the Judge's purely antagonistic demeanor) - and he can't assimilate back into normal society after the trauma he went through. Clifford is a relatively materialistic character, and he was so deprived during his stint in prison, so his actions oftentimes turn harsh, particularly towards Hepzibah and Phoebe. While Clifford isn't the nicest of Pyncheon's, he is still a good person: prison is what caused him to be portrayed cruelly.
3. Hypnotism and mesmerism play a large part in the House of the Seven Gables, mainly due to it being one of the more pivotal fantastical elements of Hawthorne's "romance". The Maule's possessed a particular power that allowed them to put their colleagues in a trance; he younger Matthew Maule even contributed to the death of Alice Pyncheon when he mesmerized her. The Judge also has an undeniable charm about him - despite being one of the antagonists of the novel - and he can often draw people in with something as simple as a smile. However, the hypnotism and mesmerism also serves as a supernatural approach to describing human power over one another. When one is put into a "trance" do to mesmerism, they are ultimately at the control of someone else, much like the Pyncheon family is at the control of Maule's curse, which is nearly impossible to break.
Question 5
ReplyDeleteWhile it is true that the Pyncheon family has grown quite poor in the decades following the murder of Colonel Pyncheon, perhaps their lack of wealth is not as deep as the narrator makes it seem. Hephzibah is forced to open a shop because of her lack of funds, which in turn attracts Judge Pyncheon to the house, and in his effort to sooth Hephzibah’s fears, he offers her money. Jaffrey’s offer is insincere: he did not truly want to help the family; he was only attempting to use his power and wealth to get to Clifford. Obviously, Jaffrey had some deeper intentions, something much more sinister than aiding the Pyncheon family in a time of financial need.
As a result, Hephzibah does not reject Jaffrey’s offer because she does not need it or because she feels guilty about receiving it: rather, she wisely sees the greater harm that can come from depending on Judge Pyncheon. This Trojan Horse of a gift would ultimately give the Judge the power to undermine the strong family ties between Hephzibah and Clifford, and would give the Judge more power to satisfy his greed. Hephzibah rejects the offer on moral grounds: she knows that it is better to live dignified and poor than to live under the control of a power hungry tyrant who is obviously out to attain the knowledge of his deed from Clifford and will stop at nothing to achieve his goal.
Question 1, Decay
ReplyDeleteThe fall and decline of the Pyncheon Family is a tragic story, depicted in the lines of The House of the Seven Gables. Hawthorne uses a motif of decay to represent the downward path of the Pyncheon Family status in society. The House of the Seven Gables Itself is in a state of disrepair, which represents the decline of the Family in a linear standpoint: the house was in good condition when built by the colonel, and just a few generations alter, has declined into a condition much like the family: it is dark, mysterious, and cold. The stuffy air inside the house has become one with the Pyncheon Family, as Hephzibah and Clifford cannot bear to part with it when attempting to leave for church. In essence, they have already died in the house like the generation which preceded, and represent the sorrowful yearning of lost souls trying hopelessly to revive their lives, but have minimal luck until the end of the novel.
The garden and summer house in the property have also fallen into disrepair, a garden of a family that has planted itself in tainted soil, as Holgrave suggests. The decision of Colonel Pyncheon to build a house on land acquired by immoral means represents a garden planted with infertile soil: the plants will soon have no choice but to wither and die, much like the withering of the Pyncheon Family in the recent generations. However, if given the slightest amount of care and hope, the family would be given the chance to revive itself and renounce its ancestor’s deeds, starting over in a fresh new season of growth.
On Fate in The House of the Seven Gables.
Upon my first reaction, it seemed painfully obvious: the story was one of fate and how fate controls one’s life. However, this is clearly not the case. The underlying message Nathaniel Hawthorne wishes to convey is the fact that it is our right and our duty to break free from curses of fate brought upon us by the evil deeds of our ancestors. It is upright to continue to live in the shadow of misery when the sunshine of happiness was rightfully ours had it not been for the condemnation of our ancestors; we receive the eternal consequence of an action we had no choice over. Hephzibah and Clifford are no exception, but luckily they have a few close friends and family members to help them realize that the renunciation of this bestowed fate is the right path to take. For years, the brother and sister have lived solemnly and lamented the years wasted. “I want my happiness! Many, many years I have waited for it! It is late!” Clifford has realized that he has lived a live scorned with the evil works of others, and he has had no chi8ance to cleanse the Pyncheon name, and live an honest, moral life.
Toward the End of the novel, it is clear that Uncle Venner, Phoebe, and Holgrave have helped to lift the curse of the House of the Seven Gables. Building a new, honest life off the inheritance of the greedy Judge Pyncheon symbolizes the triumph of Hephzibah’s and Clifford’s will to overcome fate.
In the Preface, Hawthorne claims his book is a romance rather than a novel. Romances need not deal with “everyday, ordinary things” and usually incorporate fantastic elements. Do you think that The House of the Seven Gables is more of a romance or a novel? Should it be classified as another genre altogether?
ReplyDeleteBecause Hawthorne felt it necessary to inform his readers that his book was indeed a romance, rather than a novel, he must have known that his “romance” could possibly be misconstrued as a novel. Hawthorne recognized the novelistic characteristics in his work but evidently sought to dissuade others from classifying The House of the Seven Gables as a novel.
But Hawthorne is splitting hairs. The House of the Seven Gables could easily be called a “romantic novel,” or just “a novel written in the Romantic period.” Romanticism does not confine itself merely to literature—it is an entire movement encompassing literature, art, music, etc. The House of the Seven Gables definitely contains Romantic themes, but that does not mean it is not a novel. In the true style of Romanticism, The House of the Seven Gables is an ambitious (and verbose) epic tale, rich with mysticism, magic, emotional portrayals, and frilly language. There are lots of exclamation points, emotional appeals, and ornate imagery. Yet it is possible for the book to have all of these things and still be a novel. The House of the Seven Gables still deals with the ordinary or mundane—aging, family feuds, tending a shop— that make up the “everyday, ordinary things” Hawthorne seems to so dislike in novels.
Discuss the presence of decay and decaying things in The House of the Seven Gables. What does decay symbolize in the novel?
Decay is prominent in The House of the Seven Gables almost from the very beginning. After first becoming acquainted with the Pyncheon family history, we meet a decrepit old woman, Hepzibah, wasting away inside the rotting family mansion. Chapters of doom and gloom follow, all describing with eerie detail the state of the house and its tenants. The old house, once a well-kept symbol of Pyncheon family status, is now gradually decaying. It is riddled with “both the dry rot and the damp rot,” the garden is unkempt, and the interior is dank, dusty, and dark. The once fine house has severely deteriorated, along with any sense of Pyncheon prestige. The Pyncheons are no longer wealthy (except for the Judge) and no longer hold the enormous power they did when they held vast territories in Maine. The simultaneous decay of the house and the Pyncheon line, also represented in the dwindling quality of the Pyncheon chickens, symbolizes a falling from grace, and the decay that has come from Maule’s curse.
Can Clifford be considered a good person? How is his goodness or malice reflected in the way he treats Phoebe and Hepzibah?
Clifford Pyncheon elicits our sympathy because he bears the unmistakable mental scars of long imprisonment. Being as physically and emotionally weak as he is once freed, it is difficult to make Clifford fully accountable for his actions. He appears mostly good, harboring a childlike innocence and wonder that softens his character. He appreciates Phoebe’s company and Hepzibah’s devoted care, most of the time.
However, Clifford can also come across as extremely superficial. His preoccupation with beautiful things manifests itself in his utter distaste for his old and unattractive sister, Hepzibah. However ugly Hepzibah might be, and however helpless and weak she may appear, Clifford is too wrapped up in appearances. His fascination with pretty things—Phoebe, hummingbirds, and soap bubbles—make him seem harmless, but he is also hopelessly immature, and does not seem to put in much effort to help anyone else.
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ReplyDeleteQuestion 1: Decay
ReplyDeleteThe theme of decay is very prominent in The House of the Seven Gables, as it is a key part in the characters' lives and pasts, as well as the setting of the novel itself. While towns are growing and becoming modern with all the new innovations of the times, the House of Seven Gables is slowly decaying and disappearing. The Pyncheons' prestige is slowly rotting away, corroded by rumours and myths of their past, and the "curse" on their family from Matthew Maule. The giant tree next to the house seems to feed off of the energy given off by the family's downfall. Hepzibah and Clifford themselves are old and withered, much like the flora that surrounds their old household, such as their garden. Even the decline of the chickens' pedigree represents the tainting of the Pyncheon's bloodline through the generation.
Question 2: Clifford
While Clifford is not a shining example of a "good character," he is most definitely not a "bad character" of any sort, though his introduction could cause some misconceptions about the kind of person he is. Though he does not always treat his sister in the kindest of fashions, he does not do it out of malice. In fact, his actions could even be perceived as childish. The way that he is frightened by the greedy monkey and how he recoils from his brief encounter with Judge shows how frightened he is when faced with evil or, rather, Hawthorne's symbols of greed and evil. His actions towards Phoebe are not actions of malice or anything of the sort. In fact, her goody personality and the way that she brings lightness into the House seems to make Clifford very happy and she brings him joy. After spending three decades in prison, it is not surprising that Clifford would be drawn to someone beautiful and "angelic" like Phoebe, and turn away from poor old, ugly Hepzibah. Not only is the man hardened by his years in prison, but it is also that childish and naïve aspect to the character. So, while he may not seem like the best example of a good character, Clifford has no real "evil" intentions.
Question 5: Judge's Offers
Hepzibah is well aware of the financial situation at the House, but she refuses any offers that her cousin Jaffery makes. People could, perhaps, say that this is out of pride or, perhaps, guilt or even embarrassment. However, it is in fact something else entirely. Although she knows that these offers could greatly improve her and Clifford's situation, she knows that Judge has other reasons behind these offers. Though the Judge may seem very genuine, when he is angered, it is most clear that he wants something other than to help his cousins. Hepzibah correctly assumes this, thus refusing the possibly dangerous conditions behind his aid. Jaffery knows that the Pyncheons desperately need financial aid, or Hepzibah would not have opened the small shop, and he takes the opportunity to swoop in and be the rich hero. His true intention, however, is to have power over the Pyncheon siblings, as he has Clifford's instability and "murderous past" to use, as well as financial control over the House. Along with his villainous greed, these thing make for a very dangerous equation resulting in the Pyncheon siblings being stuck in a very unfortunate situation.
2. In the Preface, Hawthorne claims his book is a romance rather than a novel. Romances need not deal with “everyday, ordinary things” and usually incorporate fantastic elements. Do you think that The House of the Seven Gables is more of a romance or a novel? Should it be classified as another genre altogether?
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to categorize The House of the Seven Gables as either a romance or a novel. Hawthorne says that the romance "need not deal with everyday, ordinary things" but the characters and circumstances in this book are pretty ordinary. The book deals with characters who are facing hardships financially and this theme can be seen in many books but is also quite common in real life. However, the style of writing doesn't necessarily feel like a novel because the story is interrupted by a lot of description and spread out over many more pages. There is also an element of supernatural objects, and other magical things. While these things aren't real they help to further the point Hawthorne is making about his characters and enhancing the real story. Charles Dickens also has a similar writing style so while the story is drawn out, it does not make it less of a novel.
4. How is Phoebe different from all the other characters in the novel? Does she resemble any one character more than the others? If so, why?
Phoebe plays a very different role in this book than the other characters in The House of the Seven Gables. Hepzibah in particular is very proud and is having a hard time adjusting to the new lifestyle. Her pride keeps her from being able to accept the changes and be happy with her life. Phoebe is able to come in and show Hepzibah a lot about life. She shows her functional skills as well as a better attitude and outlook. Hepzibah has a hard time when Phoebe leaves and isn’t sure how to function without Phoebe’s guidance. Phoebe is a very perky character and although sometimes overly perky, her positive attitude is very important to helping Hepzibah adjust and run the shop effectively.
5. Why does Hepzibah continue to refuse the Judge’s offers of financial help? Can these offers be viewed as genuine, or are there by ulterior motives?
Hepzibah’s pride seems like the biggest reason why she wouldn’t want to accept support from the Judge. It is hard for people to admit when they aren’t in the best place financially, but it can be even harder when other people try to take pity on them. Hepzibah doesn’t want to show weakness or be in debt to the Judge in any way.
2. In the Preface, Hawthorne claims his book is a romance rather than a novel. Romances need not deal with “everyday, ordinary things” and usually incorporate fantastic elements. Do you think that The House of the Seven Gables is more of a romance or a novel? Should it be classified as another genre altogether?
ReplyDeleteIn general, I don't like the classification of books at all because books often combine elements of different genres or create something a little bit more unique. I think that this book uses characteristics of both a romance and a novel. For example, common, everyday activities are given a focus throughout the book, such as in the long, drawn out scene that describes Hepzibah opening the shop. Phoebe and Holgrave walk in the garden together, and Jaffrey comes to the house and offers Hepzibah financial assistance. These situations are not out of the ordinary, as Hawthorne suggests the book is when he emphasizes the point that it is a romance. On the other hand, the mystical themes involving witchcraft and curses do introduce fantastical elements to the plot. The overall tone of the book is usually ominous and foreboding, hinting at magic and other ideas which are regarded as not a part of reality. In this way, the ordinary action of the story, which could take place in a novel, is put into the context of a romantic setting. Also, the flowery language and attention to detail Hawthorne uses exaggerates the ordinary action, making it more romantic.
The fact that Hawthorne cares enough to address this topic at all makes me wonder why it matters. Why was it important to him that this book be read as a romance rather than as a novel? I think part of it may have to do with his family's link to the Salem witch trials and his wish to keep his own life separated from the story in this book even though it influenced his writing.
2. Can Clifford be considered a good person? How is his goodness or malice reflected in the way he treats Phoebe and Hepzibah?
ReplyDeleteClifford can definitely be considered a good person. The reader is guided to feel sympathy for him due to his decades spent in prison. Because such an injustice was imposed upon him, it seems as if he should be excused for less-than-perfect behavior. His sometimes nasty manner towards Hepzibah makes us feel sorry for Hepzibah because she does not deserve to be treated in such a way but also makes us feel sorry for him because he has been driven to act in such a way. Rather than expecting him to take responsibility for his actions, we excuse him (with the aid of Hawthorne). Even though Clifford is not the "hero" of the book, there is a peculiar charm about him that helps the reader believe he is truly good at heart. This is partially because the decay of the house and the family creates a yearning for hope and promise left in the members of the family who are currently living and also due to the way Clifford treats young Phoebe.
Phoebe becomes a beacon of light to Clifford. She represents all that is youthful, innocent, and pure, attributes which he wants for himself. When he sees these things in her, it attracts him to her because she has what he wants. I believe there is a part of him that knows he can't have these things, at least not in the same way. Clifford admires Phoebe, but this relationship can be seen as bizarre and creepy as well as sweet. He idolizes her due to what she has, but it sometimes comes off negatively because she is so much younger and he is supposed to be mature and gentlemanly.
The character of Clifford doesn't fit snugly into either the bad or the good category. As a person, his intentions appear positive and fair. His difficult experience affected him in such a way that he came out with different ideas about what it meant to be happy, and he looked to conventional beauty, like Phoebe, rather than to reaching personal goals and achieving success internally.
3. Discuss the role of “fate” in the novel. How much of the Pyncheons’ bad luck is caused by fate, and how much results from their own actions and choices?
ReplyDeleteThis entire book is grounded in the premise of fate. Fate has supposedly determined the way of the life for the Pyncheon family ever since Matthew Maule spoke the words "May God give him blood to drink!" Due to the suspicions of witchcraft in New England during that time period, curses like this held great weight. Superstitions ran high, and the Pyncheon family was no exception. One of the ancestors of the Pycheons who are actualy characters in the book had a problem where he would make a noise with his throat that sounded like he could be dying and this got the family worked up about the curse coming to murder them. After so many years, the Pyncheons remain suspicious and wary of the curse put on their family. If they were not afraid of fate, there would be a much less interesting plotline and a great deal less anticipation from the reader.
While the foundation of the book would fall apart without the presence of fate, the Pyncheon family might not necessarily fall apart. It is because they believe in fate that their bad luck seems to be stemming from a curse. If Hepzibah didn't believe in the curse, her bad luck of losing her family's wealth and gaining a reputation of being a crabby old hag would be something that she might look more closely at to see how she could improve her life rather than wallowing in self pity. When she opens the shop, she does some of this, taking responsibility for her actions and taking a little more control over the situation. She believed that she could improve her life, and so she took action. While scared of the effects of the curse, the Pyncheon family had an excuse to go through unfortunate times, even if they were brought on by the actions of the family members themselves.