Character Analysis: Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon
As a result of the recent events it is almost an everyday saying that there are always terrible mistakes or sins lurking behind what appears to be perfect. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel The House of Seven Gables, with its honorable judge Jaffrey Pinchcheon as the main character, is a perfect example of what he meant. Hawthorne demonstrates that, behind every prominent religious or social icon, is a regrettable error that can bring everything in a person’s life crashing down.
Hawthorne describes in the introduction of his essay all of Judge Pyncheon’s noteworthy achievements and attributes, from the generosity he showed to orphans and widows to his role as president of The Bible Society. Hawthorne paints Judge Pyncheon in a positive light, highlighting his faithfulness, compassion, and justice. Judge Pyncheon displays his friendly nature through various charitable activities. Hawthorne mentions Judge Pyncheon’s contributions to horticulture in the form of his two highly esteemed pear variations. The author describes Pyncheon’s charismatic personality, who was always happy to greet people he encountered on the street. His smile is so prominent that it “made a point” to brighten the world. He was never shy to express his religious beliefs. Pyncheon was a man of prayer and grace. His appearance made him appear as a Christian who was as upright as any saint you can find.
Hawthorne depicts the revered Judge Pyncheon in such a way that it is easy to see the nobility and brilliance that radiate from him. Hawthorne describes his dress in great detail, focusing on the details of the gold-headed cane, the square-roomy style of his coat, and the fineness or the material. This shows the high-class lifestyle that the Judge was trying to lead. This even mentions that he was probably thinking of himself when he looked at the mirror. This act is self-centered and almost arrogant pride foreshadows his eventual fall, which confirms the Scripture that says, “Pride precedes destruction, a proud spirit before a falling” (PROV. 6:18).
After Hawthorne examines Judge Jaffrey Jaffrey’s good qualities, he reveals the dark side to this once described man of righteousness. After learning about the oppressive acts of his ancestors and relatives, the reader can now understand the dark side of this judge. Hawthorne presents Judge Pyncheon with the qualities of a noble gentleman: honest, faithfulness, spirituality, generosity, and illustrious. In a metaphorical flash, Hawthorne, however, alters his tone. Now the reader thinks of the judge as a deceitful person, even criminal in nature, who is not much more than a typical Pyncheon. The reader is left confused and perplexed by this sudden change in tone. He does not know whether to dislike the judge or admire him. Hawthorne, in his perplexing and complex style of writing about Judge Jaffrey Jaffrey Jaffrey Jaffrey Jaffrey Jaffrey Jaffrey Jaffrey Jiffrey Pyncheon, leaves the readers unsure as to what they really think of this character. Judge Pyncheon is a character that the reader will find difficult to understand.
