Jan. 2, 2026

THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES (CHAP 11) THE ARCHED WINDOW

THE HOUSE OF THE SEVEN GABLES (CHAP 11) THE ARCHED WINDOW

In Chapter 11, “The Arched Window,” of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The House of the Seven Gables, the secluded life of Clifford Pyncheon is shockingly interrupted by the vibrant movement of the outside world.  From the gloom of the upper story, Clifford peers out, observing the modern age and the rush and roar of the human tide.  While he finds childish delight in relics of the past, he grapples with terrifying impulses.  This constant struggle between a desire for connection and a profound sense of estrangement confirms his state: "We are less than ghosts, for the time being".  But those who stand on the threshold of life, peering at the external world cannot keep it at bay, forcing the Pyncheon family to face a figure whose presence instills an “absolute palsy of fear”.

Follow us on Social Media

Credits

Narration and Production by Gizelle Erickson

Executive Producer Jon Hagadorn

Music: