History Repeating All Around Us

Chris Gorham
Dr. Adam Johns
Seminar In English/Composition
2 September 2008
History Repeating All Around Us
Hawthorne’s story, “The House of the Seven Gables,” does an excellent job to enrich the reader with a surplus of history throughout the first five chapters. In fact, one might say that the history of the rusty old house on Pyncheon Street, in addition to its past and present tenants, is why this story brings so much interest to the reader at the very beginning of the book. History of the Pyncheon’s great and not so great history traced up until the time of Hepzibah shows that there is much overlapping from generation to generation. In this sense, it is fair to say that history, of a person or family, has a way of never dying, but rather passing some of its traits on to its kin. In addition to this, throughout the five chapters it becomes evident that, although history does repeat itself in many ways, it also changes over time as well.

Colonel Pyncheon, the first and most memorable of the Pyncheon, “characterized by an iron energy of purpose” built the family name to prestige. He was a man of determination to his goals and for that fact, very relentless when it came to getting what he wanted. These characteristics of himself, as the ambitious determined, successful man of his time were traced down through each generation to one descendent. As Hawthorne states,

“In almost every generation, nevertheless, there happened to be some descendant of the family gifted with a portion of the hard, keen sense, and practical energy, that had so remarkable distinguished the original founder. His character, indeed, might be traced all the way down, as distinctly as if the Colonel himself, a little diluted, has been gifted with a sort of intermittent immortality on earth.”

The most recent example of this reemergence of a character similar to Colonel Pyncheon himself was found in Cousin Jaffrey, the local Pyncheon who has made a name for himself as a Judge. The emphasis on history’s repetition seems to be the precursor to the gradual improvement in the Hepzibah’s life.

From the reader’s standpoint, it looks very promising for Hepzibah to see Phoebe arise as the bold soul with the spirit and admirable traits of the original Colonel Pyncheon. She begins to bring about the change in not only the rusty old house on Pyncheon, but also in the miserable life of Hepzibah. Hawthorne comments on Phoebe’s impact on the previously lonely house on Pyncheon Street.

“It really seemed as if the battered visage of the House of the Seven Gables, black and heavy-browed as it still certainly looked, must have shown a kind of cheerfulness glimmering through its dusky windows as Phoebe passed to and fro in the interior.”

Hepzibah’s reluctance to change in the reputation of previous Pyncheon women and family pride makes her very fearful to open a cent shop. Instead of elegance, luxury and statuesque, Hepzibah’s endeavors as a cent shop owner would contain hard work, commitment and entrepreneurship, something not regularly known to the general history of Pyncheon woman.

As is true in the story, “The House of Seven Gables,” has a way of repeating itself, even if very minutely in the cases pointed out in the story. Also true, however, is that there is always some variation from time to time. Cousin Jaffrey has proved himself by earning his name and respect as a judge to be a genuine receiver of some of the traits that marked Colonel Pyncheon with such greatness. Phoebe also seems to have the traits of the pioneer Pyncheon, however, there are some distinct variations that can distinguish her from her bold forefather. The world today works in a very similar way. Many of the actions in the present have some correlation or relation to an action in the past showing that much of history can be correlated or traced to a similar event in the past or future.

When thinking of history and its repeating cycles a prime example is war. There has never been a time in history where war hasn’t been evident and many times some wars are exact replicas of others. A prime example is of today’s current war in Iraq having very close comparison to the war that was fought in Vietnam. To some, both are useless attempts at gaining world power and securing some kind of foreign asset. To others, however, both are valid attempts at purging the world of terrorism and hatred against the United States, and in general, democracy.

One more very prime example of history being repetitive in nature is by tracing two men who shared many similarities, but ruled in different time periods. Both had common beliefs in their foreign, economic, and religious policies, each one causing terrible distress and ruin on their countries. Not only this, but both participated greatly in lying to the World community concerning military plans, eventually leading to war with not only our country, but many countries around the world. Two men, two different periods in time, with one common outline of destruction. It is truly apparent that history proved to repeat itself in this case even through different time periods.

It is very evident to see that in history there have been many correlations from past and present. Similar to, “The House of the Seven Gables,” although there are variations from time to time, the overall idea remains the same that history does repeat itself in a way. From Colonel Pyncheon to Jaffrey and Paige within the Pyncheon clan or from Hitler and Hussein, one can not only make a valid correlation between the story and reality but also a correlation between the similarities in history.

Whether we pay attention to it or not, history is always being repeated around us. Within, “The House of the Seven Gables,” it takes a little skill of foreshadowing to see that history may be about to repeat itself in the terms of Paige becoming great similar to how Colonel Pyncheon once was. It is also very interesting to sometimes take a look at current events, like the war in Iraq, and see how it and another event might relate. History’s repetition may not always be a good thing, and in most cases its not, but like Mark Twain once said, “It is not worthwhile to try to keep history from repeating itself, for man’s character will always make the preventing of the repetitions impossible.”