The Evils of Religion and The Dark Side of Humanity Potrayed in a House of Doom

In Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables, the narrative intricately weaves the themes of greed, ambition, and the dark legacy of a cursed family. The tale of the Pyncheon family serves as a profound commentary on the evils of religion and the darker aspects of human nature, suggesting that the sins of the father are indeed passed down to the children. Hawthorne's exploration of these themes reveals how ambition, when intertwined with greed, can lead to a family's ultimate doom.

The Legacy of Greed and Ambition

The story begins with the Old Colonel, the patriarch of the Pyncheon family, whose greed culminates in a curse that haunts his descendants. Hawthorne writes, “Ambition is a talisman more powerful than witchcraft” (209), indicating that the ambition to acquire wealth and status can lead to spiritual decay. The Old Colonel's desire to build a grand home over the grave of his enemy is a metaphor for the ambition that blinds him to the moral consequences of his actions. His downfall serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of allowing ambition to overshadow ethical considerations.

As the Pyncheons inherit their ancestor's curse, they become trapped in a cycle of ambition and greed. The Colonel's desire for land and wealth ultimately leads to betrayal and suffering within his own family. The novel illustrates how the pursuit of material gain can corrupt the soul and destroy familial bonds, with ambition manifesting as a curse rather than a blessing.

The House as a Symbol of Doom

The House of the Seven Gables itself serves as a central symbol of the family's curse. It is not merely a physical structure but an embodiment of the Pyncheon family's dark legacy. The house represents the weight of history and the moral decay that accompanies the pursuit of wealth. The following table summarizes the key aspects of the house and its relation to the family’s curse:

As the narrative unfolds, characters such as Judge Pyncheon and Hepzibah are forced to confront the consequences of their ancestor's greed. The house becomes a prison, stifling any hope for redemption or happiness. Hepzibah's transformation from a once-proud aristocrat to a penny shop owner illustrates the fall from grace that accompanies the family's curse. The act of opening the shop signifies a shift from ambition to survival, highlighting the necessity of humility in the face of despair.

Religious Undertones and Moral Consequences

Hawthorne's critique of religious hypocrisy is prevalent throughout the novel. The Pyncheons, who outwardly embody respectability, are internally plagued by moral corruption. Colonel Pyncheon’s facade of honor masks a soul corrupted by greed. His actions reflect a deep-seated moral failure, as he betrays his values for personal gain. Hawthorne suggests that the true evils of religion arise when individuals manipulate faith to justify their ambitions.

The judge, representing the continuation of this corruption, mirrors the Colonel's descent into moral decay. His greed leads to the imprisonment of his brother, Clifford, an innocent victim of the family's ambition. This cycle of betrayal and suffering underscores the idea that ambition, when unchecked by morality, leads to self-destruction.

The Path to Redemption

Despite the pervasive darkness, the novel offers a glimmer of hope through the characters of Phoebe and Holgrave. Their budding relationship symbolizes the potential for redemption and healing within the Pyncheon family. Phoebe's purity contrasts sharply with the tainted legacy of the Pyncheons, suggesting that love and compassion can overcome the weight of past sins. Holgrave, a descendant of the wizard Maule, embodies the idea that the new generation can break free from the curse of their ancestors.

To escape the family's doom, the characters must confront their past and abandon the ambitions that led to their suffering. The eventual decision to leave the House of the Seven Gables signifies a break from the cycle of greed and ambition, allowing them to seek a brighter future. As Clifford expresses, “The greatest possible stumbling blocks in the path of human happiness and improvements are these heaps of bricks and stones” (200). This realization is pivotal in their journey toward liberation.

Conclusion

In The House of the Seven Gables, Nathaniel Hawthorne explores the intricate relationship between ambition, greed, and the dark side of human nature. The Pyncheon family's curse serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked ambition and the moral decay that accompanies the pursuit of wealth. Through the symbolism of the house and the characters' struggles, Hawthorne emphasizes that redemption is possible, but only through humility, love, and a willingness to confront the past. Ultimately, the novel suggests that the true path to salvation lies in breaking free from the chains of ambition and embracing a more compassionate and honest existence.

Works Cited

Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The House of the Seven Gables. New York: Bantam Classic, 1981.

Corrente, Linda. Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables. Woodbury NY: Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 1985.

Dillingham, William B. “Structure and Theme in The House of the Seven Gables.” Hawthorne, Nathaniel: The House of the Seven Gables, Norton Critical Edition. Ed. Seymour L. Gross. New York City: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. 1967. 449-459.