Didn't we just pass this?

Giovanni Serrapere
Dr. Johns
Seminar in Composition
9/9/08
Blog #2 Group 2

To the Pyncheons “change”, is something that has failed to grace them with its presence. Anyone who lives in the house becomes part of a sardonic cycle in which their lives are snuffed out of them, one way or another. This fate comes from the house’s peccant founding, which the family is well aware of, and it burdens them every minute. I believe Clifford and Hepzibah will be the last to succumb to the house’s power, they will never see significant change. Real change is not possible while living in the Pyncheon house because the old timers are stuck in their ways, and the “curse” is still on the house.

Clifford and Hepzibah are a tragic but humorous example of a dysfunctional couple (not lovers). “They could not flee; their jailer had but left the door ajar in mockery, and stood behind it to watch them stealing out. At the threshold, they felt his pitiless gripe upon them.”(117) that was what happened when they tried to go to church, there was nothing standing in their way but themselves. The pair reminds me of two junkies, co-dependent, and comfortable in their shallow fruitless life. It is not like they don’t see a problem in their behavior they realize it is not normal, and it doesn’t make them happy. “I want my happiness!” At last he murmured, hoarsely and indistinctly, hardly shaping out the words. “Many years have I waited for it! It is late! It is late! I want my happiness!”(109) But their minds puts up inhibitions that prevent significant change in their social lives. Hepzibah also failed at running a store by herself, and had to let Phoebe take over. Hepzibah wasn’t able to fully denounce her unsubstantiated aristocracy. “For what end,” thought she, giving vent to that feeling of hostility which is the only real abasement of the poor in the presence of the rich, “for what good end, in the wisdom of Providence, does that woman live? Must the whole world toil, that the palms of her hands may be kept white and delicate?” Then ashamed and penitent, she hid her face.”(37)Characters around them represent the social and philosophical change of the time, but those values don’t seem to pervade through them. They are bystanders to the metamorphosis in the world around them. Clifford was in a prison for a long period of time, and now has joined Hepzibah in the bigger cell that is their house. They are entrenched in their old ways, with the “curse” acting as the enemy pinning them down; out of the no man’s land that is life.

The story of Colonel Pyncheon and how he attained the house is well communicated within the family, and the town. It has burdened the members of the household whether they realize it or not. The Colonel’s picture represents it, his eye seems to always be watching and ruling over them. “While gazing at the portrait, Hepzibah trembled under its eye.”(40) Whether the curse is a real thing, or exists only in their heads, it has had the effect of a tangible entity. Clifford and Hepzibah both believe they are doomed to have miserable remaining years in store for them. I believe that is true as long as they are in the house, “It cannot be Hepzibah! It is too late,” said Clifford, with deep sadness.” we are ghosts! We have no right among human beings-no right anywhere but in this old house, which has a curse on it, and which, therefore, we are doomed to haunt!”(117) the curse affects all life forms in the house including the once proud lineage of chickens that live in their garden. “The daguerreotypist once whispered her that these marks betokened the oddities of the Pyncheon family, and that the chicken itself was a symbol of the life of the old house, embodying its interpretation, likewise, although an unintelligible one, as such clues generally are.”(105) The town lore no doubt has put even more credibility behind this curse. Hawthorne makes a convincing argument trying to show the power of the curse, he makes us aware of the story of Alice Pyncheon. In the story Matthew Maule, the grandson of the original “wizard” Maule, renews the curse upon the family. “The custody of this secret, that would so enrich his heirs, makes part of your grandfather’s retribution. He must choke with it until it is no longer of any value. And keep you the House of Seven Gables.”(144) That quote states what I believe will be the fate of the family. The heir after Hepzibah will get rid of it and will be the first generation to change, and leave behind the idle aristocracy.

One might point out that there is social change happening in the House of the Seven Gables, because Phoebe and Holgrave are changing the way things are run. The outlook seems more positive, and their lives are filled with more joy when those two are around. But, the change is only temporarily and only the environment is changed. If it was real social change then Hepzibah would not be afraid of going out of the house still. As long as Clifford and his sister both are in their depression and hold defeatist attitudes then the status-quo will not be altered. But, I think it is in the cards for them to undertake this necessary tragedy.

The point of Hawthorne’s theme is to show that history repeats itself, and some things do not change. In this book things never changed, but I believe he would concede that there is a nominal progress in society. Hepzibah and Clifford’s dismal situation shows us that past behaviors have a direct influence on the present. This book conveys the old saying “the sins of the father shall be visited by the son.” According to my theory on how change will come, Phoebe will not inherit the misfortune because she wasn’t a big part of the Pyncheon family until now. So the curse will not affect her, under the condition that she gets rid of the house. Hawthorne’s book makes us question the so called “change” in our life; his use of symbolism leaves an impression that will soon not be forgotten. In my opinion anything that makes one question what was thought to be concrete is fine by me.