In the novel “The House of the Seven Gables” by Nathaniel Hawthorne some of the characters show Marxism in their society because of their economic and political status in the community. This essay aims to analyze the novel in the light of the tenets of Marxism. This analysis will include a discussion of the theory of Marxism and an application of the theory to the novel.
To begin with, the theory of Marxism considers the past events in the society to be a result of the class struggle between the capitalist and the working classes. It holds that the social, intellectual and political institutions existing in the society were created base on the economic productions of men. These institutions were largely controlled by the bourgeoisie and the productive forces which are the working class whose efforts to make a living dictate their lives. However, Marxism predicts that there will come a time when the bourgeois relations of economic production would constraint the capitalist class and there will be a social revolution by which the rich and powerful will eventually be brought down to its end. When their acts have become too wicked, the same acts will haunt and destroy them. This will lead the proletariat to rule the society with its own political party and it will control its own economic institutions. With this, a classless society will result which will only be realized after a period of dictatorship. In accordance with this idea, Marxism holds that no one in the society will be rich or poor for everyone owns everything in the society. Moreover, no citizen will have a property of his own but all the properties will be owned by the government and that all the resources of the society will be evenly distributed to everyone. These ideas of Marxism can be found in the novel and the fate of the bourgeoisie in the community is illustrated by the tragic end of some of the characters in the novel.
Considering the theory of Marxism, this novel is a depiction of what happens to the rich and powerful who are greedy for more wealth and control found in the characters of Colonel Pyncheon and Judge Pyncheon. It predicts the future of those who are in the capitalist society. Likewise, it expresses the sentiments of the working class in their struggles against a bourgeois society through the characters of Mr. Holgrave and Clifford Pyncheon. It demonstrates the triumph and the rule of the proletariat over the bourgeoisie to be possible.
Early in the novel, we can read that Colonel Pyncheon like other capitalists was able to possess the land where he built the House of the Seven Gables right after Old Matthew Maule was hanged in the gallows because of allegedly practicing witchcraft. This tragic event was with the direct participation of Colonel Pyncheon. So, it can be said that he got the land after putting Old Matthew Maule to death. In the novel, Colonel Pyncheon characterizes the scheming of those who are already materially rich, politically influential, and religiously inclined. In order to build a big, grand and spacious house for his family, Colonel Pyncheon did not mind destroying another man’s life not to mention the future of that man’s family just to get what he wants. Eventually, his own life was taken by an unknown person which is said to be the payment for his sins.
Another character who has had the same characteristics and the same fate as Colonel Pyncheon is Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon. Though, he is looked up to as a model in the society for he has risen up to a place of honor as a judge yet he was later discovered to be a fake. He was indeed the murderer of the old Jaffrey Pyncheon but he turned things around to put the blame on Clifford. He was also the one who decided on the imprisonment of Clifford who was made to suffer for thirty years in jail. And when Clifford was released from jail, Judge Pyncheon would still want to wrench from Clifford whatever remains of him, that is- his secrets which Judge Pyncheon thought holds the key to a vast tract of land. He wanted to know the whereabouts of the parchment which was left behind supposedly by Colonel Pyncheon but was not found after Colonel Pycheon died. Even if he was already rich, he still wants to get richer. As Hepzibah , during her confrontation with Judge Pyncheon, says: “Are you not rich enough for that little time? Shall you be hungry … No! but, with the half of what you possess, you could revel in costly food and wine…Then, why should you do this cruel, cruel thing?” (p. 243). Later, he was killed in the same manner that Colonel Pyncheon was also killed and whose murderer is not known.
These two characters symbolize the capitalists who use their wealth and power to get more profit and become more influential in all aspects of the society such as politics and religion. The ultimate end of the bourgeoisie is inevitable as shown in the novel. Both Colonel Pyncheon and Judge Pyncheon died before achieving their ultimate ambitions in life.
The novel also shows the struggles of those who are considered poor such as Thomas Maule, Mr. Holgrave, Phoebe, Clifford and Hepzibah against those who are wealthy and influential. Thomas Maule met his death in the gallows meant for witches and wizards and was deprived of his right from his own land. On the other hand, Mr. Holgrave who is an artist lives in a house that is not his own. Phoebe, although a Pycheon is considered poor because of her mother and serves the household of the Pyncheon as a poor relation. Meanwhile, Hepzibah, together with Clifford is already poor and needs to earn a living by keeping a cent shop. The novel once in a while refers to ideas and thoughts, which are expressions of Marxism and are voiced out by the abovementioned characters.
First, when Holgrave says to Phoebe: “So we will be fellow-laborers, somewhat on the community system” (p. 94). This might refer to what Marxists predict on the time when there will be a classless society and that the working class will rule the state in a communist system.
Second, when Hepzibah tells Clifford: “We belong nowhere. We have not a foot of space in any church to kneel upon; but let us go to some place of worship, even if we stand in the broad aisle. Poor and forsaken as we are, some pew- door will be opened to us!” (p. 172). This is an allusion to the Marxists criticism of religion as an instrument of the capitalists and therefore must not be patronized.
Third, when Holgrave speaks of these words to Phoebe: “But we shall live the day, I trust, when no man shall build his house for posterity. Why should he? He might just as reasonably order a durable suit of clothes… If each generation were allowed and expected to build its own houses, that single change comparatively unimportant in itself, would imply almost every reform which society is now suffering for” (p. 188). This could somehow be similar to what Marxists look forward to when no one owns anything, not even a single property but every land, house or resource is the property of everyone.
Similarly, Clifford adds to this: “…that the greatest possible stumbling-blocks in the path of human happiness and improvement are those heaps of bricks and stones, consolidated with mortar, or hewn timber, fastened together with spike-nails, which men painfully contrive of their own torment, and call them house and home!” (p. 267). It shows that owning property is not that important and most of all, toiling to build a house would not be worthwhile because it will hinder a person to follow and move on with his dreams of happiness.
Lastly, Clifford says: “…all human progress is in a circle; or, to use a more accurate and beautiful picture, in an ascending spiral curve. While we fancy ourselves going straight forward, and attaining, at every step, an entirely new position of affairs, we do actually return to something long ago tried and abandoned…” (p. 266). This statement means when a person starts something in a good or evil manner, that something will turn out the same way it was done such as what happened to Colonel Pyncheon and Judge Pyncheon.
In conclusion, Marxists dream of a classless society where every working class man finds happiness just like Holgrave and Phoebe who are both considered poor but came out contented and happy in the last chapter of the novel.
Works Cited
Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The House of the Seven Gables. New York: Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, 1988.
