The House of the Seven Gables Lesson Plan

Our House

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

To examine how Hawthorne uses anthropomorphism to make the Pyncheon House into a character, and better understand the effect of his chosen characterizations.

Structure:

Start the activity by reviewing the ways in which Hawthorne uses anthropomorphism to transform the Pyncheon house into a character. What attributes does he ascribe to the house? What person-like adjectives does he use? This can be done as a class-wide discussion or in smaller groups.

If not already in groups, have the students break up into groups of four to five and choose a real building with which they are all familiar. This could be a building on...