Question

The following question references The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne. What does Clifford see when he gazes into Maule's well? a. Images, possibly ghosts, that frighten him c. Biblical images from the garden of Eden b. His own reflection but he's 30 years younger d. A prediction for the future of the Pyncheon family

Answer 1

The House of Seven Gabels is a Gothic novel written in 1850 and published in April 1851. The story follows the family that settled the house and its previous owners. The current owner, Poor, but proud, Hepzibah Pyncheon, opened the shop in one of the house's rooms to help Brother Cliford, who returned from serving a thirty-year sentence. A distant cousin, lovely and charming young Phoebe, arrives in the house and encourages Clifford from depression.

The house was built on a land that was unjustly seized from the previous owner, Matthew Maule. This was done by Colonel Pyncheon, accusing Maule of witchcraft, for which reason Maule was hanged. According to the legend, the curse of Maule persecuted the Pyncheon family.

When Clifford sat in the garden he often looked into Maule's well, and saw the "shapes of loveliness" in the water, that would then be blurred with a dark face. He shouted: "The dark face gazes at me", and run away.

Right answer is a. Images, possibly ghosts, that frighten him.