The House of the Seven Gables
Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
The double (or doppelganger) motif is a big thing in Gothic novels like The House of the Seven Gables. It makes things creepier to have two characters who look just like each other wandering through the pages of the same novel. Because the use of doubles is so central to Hawthorne's characterization in The House of the Seven Gables, we discuss these in "Characters." In particular, see our discussions of Phoebe Pyncheon, Alice Pyncheon, Judge Pyncheon, and Mr. Holgrave.