Hawthorne?s Symbolism In The House Of Seven Gables Essay examples -- e

American Literature reflects life, and the struggles that we faceduring our existence. The great authors of our time incorporate lifesproblems into their literary works directly and indirectly. The storiesthemselves bluntly tell us a story, however, an author also uses symbolisationsto relay to us his message in a more subtle manner. In NathanielHawthornes book The House of 7 Gables symbolism is eloquently usedto enhance the story being told, by giving us a deeper insight into theauthors intentions in writing the story.The book begins by describing the most obvious symbol of the domicilitself. The house itself takes on merciful like characteristics as it isbeing described by Hawthorne in the opening chapters. The house isdescribed as "breathing through the spiracles of one great chimney"(Hawthorne 7). Hawthorne uses descriptive lines like this toturn the house into a symbol of the lives that have passed through itshalls. The house takes on a persona of a living marion ette that existsand influences the lives of everybody who enters through its doors.(Colacurcio 113) "So much of mankinds varied experience had passedthere - so much had been suffered, and something, too, enjoyed - thatthe very timbers were oozy, as with the moisture of a heart." (Hawthorne27). Hawthorne turns the house into a symbol of the collection of allthe hearts that were darkened by the house. "It was itself like a greathuman heart, with a life of its own, and full of ample and somberreminiscences" (Hawthorne 27). Evert Augustus Duyckinck agrees that "Thechief perhaps, of the dramatis personae, is the house itself. From itsturrets to its kitchen, in every nook and recess without and within, itis alive and vital." (Hawthorne 352) Duyckinck feels that the house ismeant to be used as a symbol of an actual character, "Truly it is anactor in the scene"(Hawthorne 352). This turns the house into aninteresting, but still depressing place that darkens t he book in manyways. Hawthorne means for the houses gloomy atmosphere to symbolizemany things in his book.The house also is used to symbolize a prison that has darkened thelives of its inmates forever. The house is a prison because it preventsits inhabitants form truly enjoying any freedom. The inhabitants try toescape from their incarceration twice. Initially, as Phoebe andC... .... Hawthorne meant to not only entertain with his writings, butalso to certify if possible. This explains the extensive use ofsymbolism in his work. Overall, Hawthorne did not just write a story, he wrote a classic that has stood the test of time.Works CitedAbel, Darrel. The Moral bewitching Studies in Hawthornes Fiction. Indiana Purdue UP, 1988.Arac, Jonathan. "The House and the Railroad Dombey and Son and TheHouse of the Seven Gables." The New England Quarterly volume LI (1978) 3 - 22.Colacurcio, Michael. "The Sense of an generator The Familiar Life andStrange Imaginings of Nathaniel Hawt horne." ESQ 103 (1981) 113.Crowley, Donald. Hawthorne The Critical Heritage. London W & JMackay Co. Ltd., 1970.Erlich, Gloria. Family Themes and Hawthornes Fiction The TenaciousWeb. New Jersey Rutgers UP, 1984.Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The House of Seven Gables An Authoritative TextBackgrounds and Sources Essays in Criticism. Ed. Seymour Gross. NewYork W W Norton & Co.,1967.Kaul, A., ed. Hawthorne A Collection of Critical Essays. New Jersey Prentice - Hall Inc., 1966.Rountree, Thomas, ed. Critics on Hawthorne. Florida U of Miami P,1972.