Symbolism in House of Seven Gables
...e on about the many aspects of an ordinary house, and eventually both return to their home. Since the curse, reinforced by the house, has been passed down from Pyncheon to Pyncheon, Hepzibah and Clifford are confined to remain within its walls and live the only life that they know. Hawthorne uses several symbols within the house to show how sins of one generation are passed to the next, or on the literal level, how the curse remained within the Pyncheon family for generations, to underlie the reasons why Hepzibah and Clifford remain locked up within the house (Corrente 19). Critic Michael Colacurcio asserts that the deed, of which many Pyncheons have unsuccessfully attempted to locate for it is very valuable, signifies the freedom of the residents (3). The portrait of Colonel Pyncheon, which has never been removed from the house, represents the curse that was bestowed upon the Pyncheon family by the Maule family and the evil that still lurks in the house within Hepzibah and Clifford (Colacurcio 3). The author of “The Use of Symbolism to Reflect Life Cycles” goes thoroughly into detail about the portrait when he states: As soon as things seem to change, they immediately reverse and go back in time to the lifetime of Colonel Pyncheon. The portrait hanging in the parlor reminds the family of the generations of Pyncheons and the life of the Colonel. The portrait has influenced family members for over two hundred years; by not removing the portrait, the family has placed itself into a position that cannot be escaped. (1) Unknowingly to the Pyncheons, when the house was built the deed was stashed behind the portrait by one of the Maules. After the death of Judge Pyncheon, the deed is uncovered behind the portrait to represent that the curse has been (apparently) lifted, or the inhabitants have obtained freedom (Colacurcio 3). As another effect of their isolation, Hepzibah and Clifford have and always will be outcasts of society. Even when Hepzibah, out of self-beneficial interest, opens up a cent-shop, her unintentional scowl frightens not only the children but also some of the adults of the neighborhood, keeping several customers away. This taken into consideration, Hepzibah and Clifford more than often exhibit the characteristics of madness (Helten 1). Clifford seems to always be in a dream-like state, locked away in his own little world, unlike Hepzibah who at times is painfully aware of their isolation. The aforementioned train incident when Hepzibah and Clifford ultimately return to the house, also helps to discern their unpopularity. They leave the house, to which they are attached to, get on the train, which metaphorically represents society, and are clearly not accepted when Clifford’s discussion begins to anger the conductor. They ultimately get off the train and return to the house, showing how they will always remain, whether it be mentally or physically, separated from society. Due to their severance from the outside world, Hepzibah and Clifford are not given a choice between good or evil, and it appears they are consumed by the latter. Hawthorne uses the indication of good and evil competing around us to show that isolation restricts one from ever joining the ‘good’ side. The garden in the rear of the house and the now tall elm tree in the front of the house, though old, are physical embodiments of growth, renewal, and romance (Rebmarsmit 2). The garden is a sanctuary where it seems only those who are pure of heart are granted access. Hepzibah and Clifford are never seen in the garden, but Phoebe and Holgrave are common appearances within its walls. There seems to be only one ‘good’ object inside the house and that is the tea set (Rebmarsmit 2). “Hepzibah brought out some old silver spoons, with the family crest upon them, and a China tea set… still unfaded, although the tea-pot and small cups were as ancient as the custom itself of drinking” (Hawthorne 77). The tea set is described as very old, yet it still retains the qualities it had when it was first employed by the Pyncheon family, unlike all others things within the house. The reason underlying this phenomenon was the tea set was originally brought in by the wife of the colonel, so she was not Pyncheon, consequently the curse does not apply to it. Along wi...