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The story of the Pyncheon family, residents of an evil house cursed by the victim of their ancestor's witch hunt and haunted by the ghosts of many generations. The House of the Seven Gables has been home to many generations of the Pyncheon family, each with their own dramas and tragedies. But all have felt the cold touch of a curse placed upon the house by a man who was hanged for witchcraft, the victim of a Pyncheon ancestor's greed. This evil house is haunted by the ghosts of its sinful dead, and tortured by the fear of its frightened living. Written as a follow-up to The Scarlet Letter, The House of the Seven Gables draws on Hawthorne's own family history-an ancestor of his was a judge in the Salem witch trials-and demonstrates a masterful blending of the actual and the imaginary. This edition includes: -A concise introduction that gives the reader important background information -A chronology of the author's life and work -A timeline of significant events that provides the book's historical context -An outline of key themes and plot points to guide the reader's own interpretations -Detailed explanatory notes -Critical analysis, including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work -Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction -A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the reader's experience Enriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary. The scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate, understand, and enjoy the world's finest books to their full potential.