XIV: Phoebe’s Goodbye explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Inherited Sin and Guilt

  Holgrave speaks of the two-century-long drama of the Pyncheon family, implying that the sins of the past continue to haunt the present inhabitants.

• Isolation and Community

  Hepzibah and Clifford are depicted as isolated and dead to society, while Phoebe brings life and connection to the house.

• Appearance vs. Reality

  Holgrave's calm exterior hides his mystical and potentially dangerous powers; Phoebe's simple demeanor belies her deep influence on the household.

Characters to notice

• Holgrave

  Finishes his story, nearly mesmerizes Phoebe but resists, and speaks of his mystical blood and role as a spectator of the Pyncheon drama.

• Phoebe Pyncheon

  Falls into a trance during Holgrave's tale, then expresses concern for Hepzibah and Clifford, and prepares to leave for the country.

• Hepzibah Pyncheon

  Stands in the shadow of the doorway while Phoebe talks with Holgrave; is described as dead to society and dependent on Phoebe.

• Clifford Pyncheon

  Described as a dead and long-buried person who exists only through Phoebe; Phoebe feels a motherly sentiment toward him.

• Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon

  Holgrave mentions that the Judge keeps his eye on Clifford and is a determined, relentless man with an inquisitor's character.

Key passages

• “A veil was beginning to be muffled about her, in which she could behold only him, and live only in his thoughts and emotions.”

  Phoebe was falling into a trance where she could see only Holgrave and exist solely through his mind and feelings.

  Describes the onset of Phoebe's mesmerized state.

• “Whatever health, comfort, and natural life exists in the house is embodied in your person. These blessings came along with you, and will vanish when you leave the threshold.”

  All the vitality and well-being in the house come from you, and they will disappear when you go.

  Holgrave tells Phoebe she is the source of life for Hepzibah and Clifford.

• “I am somewhat of a mystic, it must be confessed. The tendency is in my blood, together with the faculty of mesmerism, which might have brought me to Gallows Hill, in the good old times of witchcraft.”

  I admit I have a mystical nature and the ability to mesmerize, which could have gotten me executed as a witch in earlier times.

  Holgrave reveals his inherited mystical and mesmeric tendencies.

• “She wondered how it came to pass, that her life of a few weeks, here in this heavyhearted old mansion, had taken such hold of her, and so melted into her associations, as now to seem a more important centre-point of remembrance than all which had gone before.”

  Phoebe was amazed that her short stay in the gloomy old house had become more central to her memories than her entire past life.

  Reflects Phoebe's deep emotional attachment to the house and its inhabitants.