Fate In Hawthorne's The House Of Seven Gables

Hawthorne’s The House of Seven Gables is an elaborately detailed novel whose characters elicit a profound effect on one another. Diversity sets them apart and fate brings them together to begin a new journey that brings about change and growth in them all. Clifford, having been framed for murder 30 years before the events of the novel, is perhaps the most complex and most changed character in the novel, however, he was not in control of his own fate. He did not make any of the choices along his path. The choices and actions of others, made him.

There is definitely a before and after quality to Clifford. We are provided a glimpse of Clifford’s “before” when Phoebe looks upon the miniature portrait of Clifford that Hepzibah carries around with her. When Hepzibah asks what she thinks of his face Phoebe exclaims “It is handsome!—it is very beautiful! It is as sweet a face as a man’s can be, or ought to be. It has something of a child’s expression,--and yet not childish,--only one feels so very kindly towards him! He ought never to suffer anything. One would bear much for the sake of sparing him toil or sorrow.” (Hawthorne, Ch 5). Phoebe’s description allows us to see in our mind’s eye what he was before his innocence was stolen from him and he was unjustly sent to prison for a crime he did not commit.

Not only have the years in prison not been kind, they have had a backward effect on Clifford. It’s as if he reverted back into childhood for thirty years. He is very child-like when he returns home to Pyncheon house. He dreams of childish games and takes a child’s pleasure in flowers and soap bubbles. He also cannot tolerate anything that he deems unpleasant or ugly such as the loud noise of the shop bell or the constant scowl on his sister’s face. Only happy and pretty things bring him pleasure, likely because all else is a reminder of