# How does The House of the Seven Gables end?

> The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne

## Answer

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.

## Evidence

- [xviii-governor-pyncheon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_seven_gables_se/chapters/xviii-governor-pyncheon.md): Judge’s death in the chair.
- [xxi-the-departure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_house_of_the_seven_gables_se/chapters/xxi-the-departure.md): Train escape and new beginning.

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