The House of the Seven Gables

A driven, paranoid lawyer who obsesses over a supposed treasure and the Pyncheon name. He sifts through documents and rumors, using the 'Maule curse' to justify his control of the house and to discredit others. His fear of losing the family legacy drives him to manipulate and ultimately unravels when the truth about the wealthy scheme is revealed.

The older brother who resents losing the family house to debts and dreams of a simpler life in New York. He resists Jaffrey’s control, but becomes entangled in the scheme to clear his name, even as the reputation of the Pyncheon name is tested. His fate turns on a lie and the ultimate realization that justice may prevail.

The patriarch who anchors the family’s wealth and influence, whose death shifts the balance of power within the household. His will leaves the house to Hepzibah, sparking the later dynamics of confinement and resilience within the family saga.

The reclusive matriarch who imprisons herself and the house behind sealed doors. She runs the small shop to earn money and tries to maintain dignity in a world that fears the Pyncheon name. Her protective instinct for Phoebe and the house sustains the family line.

A bright, vivacious cousin who brings life and hope into Hepzibah’s household. Her shop becomes a social hub, and she forms a connection with Holgrave that anchors the story’s emotional core.

A former cellmate turned abolitionist who rents a room at the Pyncheon house under a new identity. He becomes a catalyst for truth, helping to dismantle the lie surrounding the treasure and guiding Clifford toward clearing his name.