The Gothic Style Revisited

                Throughout the book, “The House of Seven Gables,” the Gothic style is represented through darkness, gloom, supernatural events, etc.   The house is strange and the people act somewhat unusual within the story.  Yet, the passage at the beginning of chapter seven shows a section where the Gothic style is not used. 

                Within the first few lines of chapter seven, the reader quickly realizes that the Gothic style is not being used at the moment.  For instance, Hawthorne says, “When Phoebe awoke- which she did with the early twittering of the conjugal couple of robins, in the pear-tree- she heard movements below the stairs, and hastening down, found Hepzibah already in the kitchen” (p.98).  Here, we have a totally different feel from the start of the passage.  It seems much sweeter and innocent with the chirping birds, pear tree, and working in the kitchen.  As the passage continues, we realize that Hepzibah is working in the kitchen to make breakfast which gives the reader a warm feeling inside, contrary to the cold and eerie feeling one gets from reading the Gothic style.  The sense of panic and uneasiness that one feels from reading in the Gothic style has disappeared in this section. 

Although the Gothic style is not sensed in these first few pages of chapter seven, it adds to the mystery of the book, therefore, furthering the Gothic style.  The mystery of the book is advanced because this section gives the reader a glimpse into what life in the house could have been like and therefore, adds to the eeriness of the Gothic style.