The House of the Seven Gables · Chapter
The Departure explained
Following Judge Pyncheon's sudden death, public interest quickly fades, but private talk revives old suspicions about Clifford's supposed murder of their uncle.
What happens
Following Judge Pyncheon's sudden death, public interest quickly fades, but private talk revives old suspicions about Clifford's supposed murder of their uncle. A new theory emerges, suggesting that Jaffrey Pyncheon himself, as a young man, accidentally caused his uncle's death while attempting to steal a will, then framed Clifford. With the judge's son also dying abroad, Clifford, Hepzibah, and Phoebe inherit the Pyncheon wealth. They decide to leave the House of the Seven Gables for the judge's country-seat. On departure day, Holgrave reveals a secret spring in the portrait of Colonel Pyncheon, hinting at hidden wealth.
Themes in this chapter
Inherited Sin and Guilt
Jaffrey Pyncheon's youthful crime and its cover-up perpetuate the family's curse; the truth emerges only after his death.
Wealth and Moral Corruption
Jaffrey's greed led him to steal a will and frame Clifford; the inheritance ultimately passes to those he wronged.
The Past vs. the Present
The characters leave the old house for a new life; Holgrave's shift from reformer to conservative reflects changing attitudes toward permanence and tradition.
Characters to notice
- Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon
Dies suddenly; posthumous talk reveals his youthful crime of accidentally causing his uncle's death and framing Clifford.
- Clifford Pyncheon
Exonerated by new theory; inherits wealth; experiences invigorating effect from the judge's death; plans to move to the country-seat.
- Hepzibah Pyncheon
Inherits wealth; joins Clifford and Phoebe in moving to the judge's country-seat.
- Phoebe Pyncheon
Inherits wealth; surprised by Holgrave's changed, conservative views; part of the departure.
- Holgrave
Reveals the secret spring in Colonel Pyncheon's portrait; admits to becoming a conservative; inherits wealth through Phoebe.
- Uncle Venner
Present at the departure gathering in the parlor.
Key passages
“The sudden death of so prominent a member of the social world as the Honorable Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon created a sensation (at least, in the circles more immediately connected with the deceased) which had hardly quite subsided in a fortnight.”
Judge Pyncheon's unexpected death caused a stir among his acquaintances, but the excitement faded within two weeks.
Opens the chapter, showing how quickly public interest in a death can wane.
“Death is so genuine a fact that it excludes falsehood, or betrays its emptiness; it is a touchstone that proves the gold, and dishonors the baser metal.”
Death reveals the truth about a person's character, exposing what is genuine and what is false.
Reflects on how people reassess the deceased's true nature after death.
“It is a truth (and it would be a very sad one but for the higher hopes which it suggests) that no great mistake, whether acted or endured, in our mortal sphere, is ever really set right.”
In life, serious errors or sufferings can never be fully corrected, though there is hope beyond this world.
Philosophical reflection on the irreparability of past wrongs.
“The shock of Judge Pyncheon’s death had a permanently invigorating and ultimately beneficial effect on Clifford.”
Clifford was revitalized and improved by the judge's death, which freed him from a oppressive influence.
Describes the positive change in Clifford after the judge's demise.
“You find me a conservative already! Little did I think ever to become one.”
Holgrave admits he has become conservative, something he never expected.
Holgrave's ironic self-reflection on his changed views about permanence and property.
