Allusions In The House Of Seven Gables

In the novel A House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne, an ancestor of the Pyncheon family falsely accuses a man named Matthew Maule of witchcraft, leading to his death. Before he is hung, Maule is cursed the Pyncheon family for generations to come. The curse leaves the family living a dark and impoverished life, until a distant cousin, Phoebe Pyncheon alters their lives. Although Phoebe is a part of the family, she is able to reverse their misery with her uplifting attitude. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne exemplifies the theme of inherited sin through the Pyncheon family as displayed through his uses of imagery, allusion, and tonal shift. Hawthorne heavily relies on imagery throughout the novel to demonstrate the undying curse

There is a miserable gloominess prevalent within the house, but there is a sense of light conjured from the arrival of Phoebe. Hawthorne writes, “ It is a kind of natural magic that enables these favored ones to bring out the hidden capabilities of things around them; and particularly to give a look of comfort and habitableness to any place” (Hawthorne 68). Upon Phoebe’s arrival, everything remains dreary within the shop and the house, but as soon as she begins to help her elderly cousin, Hepzibah, and gain permission to remain in the house, everything gradually becomes easier and more pleasant. The plants in the garden begin to bloom, the shop sells nearly all of its merchandise, and Clifford and Hepzibah grow genuinely happy. The tone Hawthorne utilizes remains hopeful, that is until Phoebe has to return home. When she leaves, a darker energy prevails. Hawthorne explains, “ In fact… an easterly storm had set in, and indefatigably applied itself to the task of making the black roof and walls of the old house look more cheerless than ever before” (Hawthorne 196). Phoebe’s departure sparked a terrible storm over New England, Clifford refuses to get out of bed, and the store loses business. Everything becomes more dour and sullen than it was before she had arrived. This tonal shift demonstrates the brief period of happiness that created from Phoebe’s