Nathaniel Hawthorne and The House of the Seven Gables

Nathaniel Hawthorne was a 19th-century American author best known for his novels The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. The latter novel is a Gothic romance set in Salem, Massachusetts, and tells the story of the Pyncheon family, whose ancestral home is haunted by the sins of their ancestors. It is truly one of my favorite books.

Hawthorne began writing The House of the Seven Gables in 1850, shortly after the publication of The Scarlet Letter. He was inspired by the history of his own family, who had lived in Salem during the 17th century. The novel also draws on Hawthorne’s interest in the Salem witch trials, which took place in the same town.

The House of the Seven Gables is a complex and multilayered novel that explores themes of guilt, retribution, and atonement. It is also a meditation on the nature of history and the legacy of the past. The novel’s setting, Salem, is a symbol of the Puritan past, and the house itself is a reminder of the sins that have been committed in that town.

The House of the Seven Gables was published in 1851 to critical acclaim. It was a commercial success, and it helped to solidify Hawthorne’s reputation as one of the leading American authors of his time. The novel has been adapted for film and television several times, and it continues to be read and enjoyed by readers today.

Influences on The House of the Seven Gables

In addition to his own family history and the Salem witch trials, Hawthorne was influenced by a number of other sources when writing The House of the Seven Gables. These include:

• The works of other Gothic novelists, such as Ann Radcliffe and Horace Walpole.
• The writings of transcendentalists, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
• The history of Salem, Massachusetts.
• Hawthorne’s own experiences growing up in New England.

The House of the Seven Gables as a Romance

Hawthorne himself described The House of the Seven Gables as a “romance.” This term has a specific meaning in literary criticism, and it refers to a work of fiction that blends elements of realism and fantasy. In The House of the Seven Gables, Hawthorne uses this blend of genres to create a story that is both believable and mysterious.

The novel’s realism is evident in its depiction of the setting, Salem, Massachusetts. Hawthorne vividly describes the town’s narrow streets, its old houses, and its bustling harbor. He also creates believable characters who are motivated by complex emotions.

The novel’s fantasy elements are evident in its use of symbolism and allegory. The house itself is a symbol of the past, and it is haunted by the sins of the Pyncheon family. The novel also contains allusions to witchcraft and the supernatural.

The Legacy of The House of the Seven Gables

The House of the Seven Gables is one of Hawthorne’s most enduring works. It has been praised for its complex characters, its atmospheric setting, and its exploration of important themes. The novel has been adapted for film and television several times, and it continues to be read and enjoyed by readers today.

The novel’s legacy can be seen in the work of other authors, such as Edith Wharton and Henry James. These authors were influenced by Hawthorne’s use of symbolism and allegory, and they also explored themes of guilt, retribution, and atonement in their own work.

The House of the Seven Gables is a classic of American literature, and it continues to be relevant today. It is a story about the power of the past, the importance of family, and the search for redemption.