Ostensibly a tale of the effects of sin and guilt manifested through the succeeding generations of a New England family, The House of the Seven Hawthorne's Gables is a richly detailed novel with multiple levels of meaning and ambiguity that have given rise to a wide range of critical interpretations. Although often criticized for its narrative structure or other perceived flaws, The House of the Seven Gables is generally ranked second in importance only to The Scarlet Letter. Hawthorne considered his greatest work "more characteristic" of his mind and "more correct and natural" to write than his first novel. Overall, it was a critical success with three themes that seemed to attract most of the critical attention of its century. The three themes were Hawthorne's authentic characters, powerful setting, and invigorating yet disturbing theme. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayHawthorne analyzes the delicate traits of human feeling and character and opens perspectives on that wonderful and unexplored world of love and thought that exists in every human being, although obscured by material circumstances. Hawthorne takes evident pleasure in expanding the types of characters and broad strokes of life or in throwing into sharp relief the plainest facts of consciousness. Henry Tuckerman wrote: "No contrast of this kind can be imagined, more eloquent to the understanding mind than that between the inner consciousness and the outer appearance of Clifford, or Phoebe and Holgrave, or of the judge. They respectively symbolize the poles of human existence, and are excellent studies for the psychologist. However, this attraction is subservient to fidelity to local characteristics. Clifford represents the man of refined organization and true feeling surrounded by the material realities of New England; genuine, efficient yet loving female character at the same latitude and Holgrave embodies Yankee acuity and boldness redeemed by integrity and enthusiasm" (520). Tuckerman's passage describes the local authenticity that Hawthorne uses to bring his characters to life. One of the most important characters in the book is Hepzibah, who, at the beginning of the book, is the sole possessor of the dark recesses of the mansion. Rudolph Von Abele gives us a detailed look at her when he writes, "[Hepzibah] is the embodiment of aristocratic politeness, supported only by her illusion of family heritage. Hawthorne knew how fully her situation corresponded to the movement of the time, for "in this republican country, among the fluctuating waves of our social life, someone is always on the verge of drowning"»(316). Abel shows how Hawthorne uses Hepzibah to counter the other characters through his failing aristocratic beliefs. Hawthorne will use the same detailed descriptions to build the stage upon which his characters will roam. The setting becomes as important as the characters themselves. The setting of The House of the Seven Gables is imbued with local authenticity, which is not, not for an instant, weakened by the imaginative charm of romance. We feel as if we are breathing the air as we read and that we are surrounded by familiar objects of a New England town. Austin Warren concludes: "The interior of the house, every article described within it, from the picturesque table to the Malbone miniature, every produce of the old garden, the street scenes which deceive poor Clifford's eyes, as he looks out of the windows at arc all have the meaning that belongs to reality when it is grasped" 1851