There were many ways in which Phoebe had a positive effect on the inhabitants of The House of Seven Gables written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The house also had an effect on Phoebe during her stay at The House of Seven Gables. These effects changed the lives of those living in the house and relationships were formed and transformations made that some may not have thought possible. The following examples from the book highlight these relationships and how they effected the inhabitants.

The House of Seven Gables was a gloomy, cursed place with no heart or cheerfulness until Phoebe arrives. The following excerpt from the book tells of Phoebe’s purity and the life she brings to the house. ”This natural tunefulness made Phoebe seem like a bird in a shadowy tree; or conveyed the idea that the stream of life warbled through her heart as a brook sometimes warbles through a pleasant little dell. It …show more content…
“The tears were in Phoebe's eyes; a smile, dewy with affectionate regret, was glimmering around her pleasant mouth. She wondered how it came to pass, that her life of a few weeks, here in this heavy-hearted old mansion, had taken such hold of her, and so melted into her associations, as now to seem a more important centre-point of remembrance than all which had gone before. How had Hepzibah--grim, silent, and irresponsive to her overflow of cordial sentiment--contrived to win so much love? And Clifford, --in his abortive decay, with the mystery of fearful crime upon him, and the close prison-atmosphere yet lurking in his breath.” (Hawthorne, Chapter 14) After Phoebe leaves Clifford and Hepzibah leave the house and venture out on their own. Clifford becomes animated and outgoing along the journey, however, Hepzibah remains introverted and self -conscious. Although the journey is short lived and they return to the house, just leaving the house was a huge step for both Hepzibah and