"So much of mankind's varied experience had passed there-so much had been suffered, and something, too, enjoyed-that the very timbers were oozy, as with the moisture of a heart. It was itself like a great human heart, with a life of it's own, and full of sombre reminiscences."
             Such is the Pyncheon mansion in Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables. It is the most important symbol in the story because of its comprehensive quality. It is a living sentient organism, like a "great human heart" which is represented by the great chimney in the center; it warms and unifies the entire structure. The house shows the effects of time, and mortality through physical weathering; it is the inanimate representation of the history of the Pyncheon family.
             The many lives that the old mansion holds are complexly intertwined. It has existed for decades and has been the place where heart warming as well as dark events has taken place. This is evident in the appearance of the house. The window projections have been covered with green moss, which has the effect of softening the weather beaten outward appearance of the house and also helps to connect it to nature. However, the burdocks, which grow freely around the house, add to its dark, gloomy appearance. Time has made the house black. Dust, decay, and grime are everywhere. But, according to Richard Fogle, this grime and sordidness is somewhat lessened by Phoebe's genial temperament. (Fogle 135)
             The house is very dark and has a heavy gloom from the projection of the upper stories over the lower. It made the house appear "meditative" as if it "had secrets to keep, and an eventful history to moralize upon."(Gross 27) This "gloom" cast upon the lower levels by the projection of the upper ones could be a representation of the original sin of Colonel Pyncheon casting its gloomy shadow over the present generation and tho...