How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
As they proceeded on their strange expedition, she now and then cast a look sidelong at Clifford, and could not but observe that he was possessed and swayed by a powerful excitement. It was this, indeed, that gave him the control which he had at once, and so irresistibly, established over his movements. It not a little resembled the exhilaration of wine. Or, it might more fancifully be compared to a joyous piece of music, played with wild vivacity, but upon a disordered instrument. As the cracked jarring note might always be heard, and as it jarred loudest amidst the loftiest exultation of the melody, so was there a continual quake through Clifford, causing him most to quiver while he wore a triumphant smile, and seemed almost under a necessity to skip in his gait. (17.2)
As Clifford goes out into the world for the first time after the sudden death of Judge Pyncheon, he seems almost drunk with freedom. Clifford looks happy, but there is an edge of craziness in his triumph. Why might Hepzibah and Clifford choose not to tell the world about the dead Judge Pyncheon in their parlor? What do you think would have happened if the two had decided to seek out human justice, rather than leaving Judge Pyncheon to his fate?
Quote #8
"These rapping spirits, that little Phoebe told us of, the other day," said Clifford, – "what are these but the messengers of the spiritual world, knocking at the door of substance? And it shall be flung wide open!" (17.38)
It seems to us that Clifford is being rather selective in the spirits he wants to talk to. He's OK with the ones who arrive to talk to a medium during a séance, but he's not so pleased about the ghosts that haunt the House of the Seven Gables. What might be the difference between the two? What do the two types of spirits seem to represent to Clifford?
Quote #9
Rise up, Judge Pyncheon! The morning sunshine glimmers through the foliage, and, beautiful and holy as it is, shuns not to kindle up your face. Rise up, thou subtle, worldly, selfish, iron-hearted hypocrite, and make thy choice whether still to be subtle, worldly, selfish, iron-hearted, and hypocritical, or to tear these sins out of thy nature, though they bring the lifeblood with them! The Avenger is upon thee! Rise up, before it be too late! (18.26)
Throughout Chapter 18's long appeal to Judge Pyncheon to stand up and get back to his business, the narrator has been building up to this final moment: "The Avenger is upon thee!" In other words, Judge Pyncheon has no more chances. Even though "the morning sunshine" opens each new day afresh, Judge Pyncheon is out of time. He can no longer make amends for his sins and now has to face "the Avenger": God's judgment. Again, as in other moments when the narrator seems to be addressing his characters directly, this could also be read as a command to us, the readers. We are the ones who (being still alive) should hurry up and start making things right in our lives – because, sadly, our days are numbered.