house of the seven gables, the: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareLiterary, Historical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “house of the seven gables, the” mean?
A famous 1851 Gothic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, set in Salem, Massachusetts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A famous 1851 Gothic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, set in Salem, Massachusetts.
Refers to the specific novel, its themes of guilt, retribution, and ancestral sin, or can metaphorically reference any old, mysterious, or haunted house with a dark past. Also refers to the actual historic house in Salem that inspired the novel, now a museum.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical, though the referent is distinctly American literature and history. In the UK, it is primarily known as a work of classic American literature, whereas in the US it may have stronger cultural and historical connections, especially in New England.
Connotations
In both dialects, it connotes classic literature, Gothic themes, and American history. In the US, particularly in New England, it may evoke local heritage and tourism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in everyday speech in both regions, confined to literary, academic, or touristic contexts. More likely to be encountered in the US, especially in educational or historical settings related to Massachusetts.
Grammar
How to Use “house of the seven gables, the” in a Sentence
[Verb] + The House of the Seven Gables: read, visit, study, reference, adaptVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Common in literature and American studies courses discussing Romanticism, Gothic fiction, or Puritan legacy.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation unless discussing literature, history, or travel to Salem.
Technical
Used in literary criticism and historical preservation contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “house of the seven gables, the”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “house of the seven gables, the”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “house of the seven gables, the”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'They live in a house of the seven gables').
- Misspelling 'Gables' as 'Gabels' or 'Gable's'.
- Omitting the definitive article 'The' at the beginning of the full title.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it was inspired by a 17th-century house in Salem, Massachusetts, owned by Hawthorne's cousin. That house, now called The House of the Seven Gables, is a museum.
No, it is a specific proper noun. Using it generically would sound odd or pretentious. You would say 'an old house with gables' instead.
A gable is the triangular upper part of a wall at the end of a ridged roof. A house with seven gables has seven such distinctive roof sections.
Yes, both are major novels by Nathaniel Hawthorne dealing with Puritan New England, sin, and secrecy, but they are separate works with different plots and characters.
A famous 1851 Gothic novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, set in Salem, Massachusetts.
House of the seven gables, the is usually literary, historical, academic in register.
House of the seven gables, the: in British English it is pronounced /ðə ˌhaʊs əv ðə ˌsev.ən ˈɡeɪ.bəlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ðə ˌhaʊs əv ðə ˌsev.ən ˈɡeɪ.bəlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember the title by linking the number SEVEN to the SEVEN distinct triangular roof sections (gables) on the old house.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PAST IS A HAUNTED HOUSE; GUILT IS A FAMILY INHERITANCE.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'The House of the Seven Gables' primarily refer to?