American Literature reflects life, and the struggles that we face
during our existence. The great authors of our time incorporate life's
problems into their literature directly and indirectly. The stories
themselves bluntly tell us a story, however, an author also uses symbols
to relay to us his message in a more subtle manner. In Nathaniel
Hawthorne's book The House of Seven Gable's symbolism is eloquently used
to enhance the story being told, by giving us a deeper insight into the
author's intentions in writing the story.
The book begins by describing the most obvious symbol of the house
itself. The house itself takes on human like characteristics as it is
being described by Hawthorne in the opening chapters. The house is
described as 'breathing through the spiracles of one great
chimney'(Hawthorne 7). Hawthorne uses descriptive lines like this to
turn the house into a symbol of the lives that have passed through its
halls. The house takes on a persona of a living creature that exists
and influences the lives of everybody who enters through its doors.
(Colacurcio 113) 'So much of mankind's varied experience had passed
there - so much had been suffered, and something, too, enjoyed - that
the very timbers were oozy, as with the moisture of a heart.' (Hawthorne
27). Hawthorne turns the house into a symbol of the collection of all
the hearts that were darkened by the house. 'It was itself like a great
human heart, with a life of its own, and full of rich and somber
reminiscences' (Hawthorne 27). Evert Augustus Duyckinck agrees that 'The
chief perhaps, of the dramatis personae, is the house itself. From its
turrets to its kitchen, in every nook and recess without and within, it
is alive and vital.' (Hawthorne 352) Duyckinck feels that the house is...