Three Women in the House of The Seven Gables:Phoebe
Three Women in The House of the Seven Gables: Phoebe
Phoebe, Hepzibah's young cousin from the country, offers contrasts to Hepzibah.
Hepzibah is timid, reclusive, uncomfortable with shoppers at the Cente Shoppe,
and fixed with a perpetually sour expression. Phoebe, on the other hand, is
curious, socially at ease, charmed by the shoppers, and in the bloom of youth.
However, the two form a close relationship as Hepzibah provides a home for Phoebe
and Phoebe provides companionship to Hepzibah and cheerfully takes over the
shop-keeping duties. Together they care for the tired, much maligned Clifford
Pyncheon who has just spent 30 years in jail falsely accused for the murder
of his uncle. Phoebe Pyncheon's uplifting spirit transforms the dreary Seven
Gables, the forlorn Clifford, the wasted Hepzibah, and the bitter Holgrave.
Scenes from the following eight chapters capture her spirit and growth: 4, 5,
6, 7, 9, 14, 19, and 20.
In Chapter 4 - "A Day Behind the Counter," Phoebe
arrives, expecting in her country innocence to be welcomed as family at Seven
Gables -- whose "sordid and ugly luxuriance" contrasts her fresh wholesomeness.
Full
text of Chapter 4-"A Day Behind the Counter"
Illustration by Genevieve Cowles of Phoebe in The House of the Seven Gables from the 1899 edition published by Houghton Mifflin(with special thanks to Dr. John L. Idol Jr.)
In Chapter 5 - "May and November," Phoebe begins
to transform the dreary house into a place of light, Hepzibah into a person
taking an interest in her surroundings, and the Cente Shoppe into a thriving
business. Full
text of Chapter 5-"May and November"
In Chapter 7 - "The Guest," Phoebe works with
Hepzibah on the occasion of Clifford's return after a 30-year absence in prison,
to prepare him a feast for his first full meal in freedom. In the garden Phoebe
becomes acquainted with Chanticleer, the rooster, a symbol of the decline
of the Pyncheon former stature. (Full
text of chapter 7 - "The Guest"
In chapter 9 - "Clifford and Phoebe," Phoebe's
genial temperament brightens the gloomy house and infects Hepzibah and Clifford
with glimpses of sweetness and joy. (Full
text of chapter 9 - "The Guest"
In chapter 14 - "Phoebe's Goodbye," Phoebe comes
under Holgrave's spell, and the artist resists the temptation to control her
spirit. Therefore, Phoebe, unlike Alice, remains free to choose to love him.
She departs from the house wiser and more thoughtful than when she came. She
promises Uncle Venner to return. (Full
text of chapter 14 - "Phoebe's Goodbye"
In chapter 20 - "The Flower of Eden," Phoebe returns
to Seven Gables, anxiously needing to learn what has befallen Clifford and
Hepzibah. She finds a haven in Holgrave's embrace. The young couple declare
their love for each other. (Full
text of chapter 19 - "Alice's Posies"
