How does The House of the Seven Gables end?

Judge Jaffrey’s sudden death in the old parlor — echoing Colonel Pyncheon’s end — frees Clifford from terror of returning to prison. Hepzibah, Clifford, Phoebe, and Holgrave board a train away from Salem, abandoning the seven-gabled mansion to decay or sale. Holgrave reveals he is a Maule descendant; marrying Phoebe symbolically joins rival families.

The ending is redemption through departure, not exorcism inside walls. Past sin remains historical fact, but survivors choose a present outside its architecture. Link to love-and-redemption and inherited-guilt concepts for classroom closure.