Teacher Guide

The House of the Seven Gables Lesson Plan

Introduction to The House of the Seven Gables

The House of the Seven Gables, written in 1851, was the fourth of the nine novels written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. He began writing it the year that The Scarlet Letter was published, one of the first books to be mass-produced in America. The House of the Seven Gables is the story of a family seemingly cursed by the actions of a cruel, Puritan ancestor. The ancestor, a Colonel Pyncheon, played a key role in getting a man hanged for witchcraft, then built a house on the ground that man once owned. The story revolves around the current Pyncheons, their misfortunes, and their eventual redemption. It is considered a classic of American literature, both a Romantic novel (even described as such...

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2366 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11015 literature essays, 2791 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

Join Now

Already a member? Log in