How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The purity of his judicial character, while on the bench; the faithfulness of his public service in subsequent capacities; his devotedness to his party, and the rigid consistency with which he had adhered to its principles, or, at all events, kept pace with its organized movements; his remarkable zeal as president of a Bible society; his unimpeachable integrity as treasurer of a widow's and orphan's fund; his benefits to horticulture, by producing two much esteemed varieties of the pear and to agriculture, through the agency of the famous Pyncheon bull; the cleanliness of his moral deportment, for a great many years past; the severity with which he had frowned upon, and finally cast off, an expensive and dissipated son, delaying forgiveness until within the final quarter of an hour of the young man's life; his prayers at morning and eventide, and graces at meal-time; his efforts in furtherance of the temperance cause; his confining himself, since the last attack of the gout, to five diurnal glasses of old sherry wine; the snowy whiteness of his linen, the polish of his boots, the handsomeness of his gold-headed cane, the square and roomy fashion of his coat, and the fineness of its material, and, in general, the studied propriety of his dress and equipment; the scrupulousness with which he paid public notice, in the street, by a bow, a lifting of the hat, a nod, or a motion of the hand, to all and sundry of his acquaintances, rich or poor; the smile of broad benevolence wherewith he made it a point to gladden the whole world, – what room could possibly be found for darker traits in a portrait made up of lineaments like these? This proper face was what he beheld in the looking-glass. This admirably arranged life was what he was conscious of in the progress of every day. Then might not he claim to be its result and sum, and say to himself and the community, "Behold Judge Pyncheon there"? (15.18)
Here Hawthorne is sketching out in great detail what it takes to appear to be a respectable man in Massachusetts in 1851. You have to have a job as a public servant (like, say, a judge). You have to be faithful to your political party. You have to say your prayers and run a Bible society. You have to donate money to the right charities. You have to be tough with your kids (really, really tough, apparently). You have to restrain your drinking. You have to dress well. And you have to greet everyone you meet with "the smile of broad benevolence." Once you've accomplished all of these public duties, you appear to be a good man, no matter what's really in your heart.
What do you think of this list of respectable traits? What does it tell you about the social structure of Massachusetts back in Hawthorne's day? Do we judge respectability using similar criteria now?
Quote #8
Might and wrong combined, like iron magnetized, are endowed with irresistible attraction. There would be Judge Pyncheon, – a person eminent in the public view, of high station and great wealth, a philanthropist, a member of Congress and of the church, and intimately associated with whatever else bestows good name, – so imposing, in these advantageous lights, that Hepzibah herself could hardly help shrinking from her own conclusions as to his hollow integrity. The Judge, on one side! And who, on the other? The guilty Clifford! Once a byword! Now, an indistinctly remembered ignominy! (16.5)
Hepzibah is clearly aware of the difference in social power between Judge Pyncheon and his unfortunate cousin Clifford. But we are wondering how universal Hawthorne is trying to be in his assessment of "might and wrong combined." Hawthorne is obviously highly critical of the hypocrisy he finds to be ingrained in Puritan life and culture. Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon is one fictional example of the danger of power in the hands of the wrong man. But we also can't lose sight of the fact that Pyncheon is a type as much as he is a character: he stands in for a more general social problem that Hawthorne is observing in America's history.
Quote #9
"And how do you know they're gone to the Judge's?" asked Mrs. Gubbins. "He's a rich man; and there's been a quarrel between him and Hepzibah this many a day, because he won't give her a living. That's the main reason of her setting up a cent-shop."
"I know that well enough," said the neighbor. "But they're gone, – that's one thing certain. And who but a blood relation, that couldn't help himself, I ask you, would take in that awful-tempered old maid, and that dreadful Clifford? That's it, you may be sure." (19.19-20)
This brief slice of dialogue between two townspeople shows how gossip can get things wrong. Hawthorne often uses local lore to supplement official history, since the latter is often inaccurate. (Check out our first quote in the "Religion" section.) But local legend doesn't always get it right. These two women have at least part of the story: they know Judge Pyncheon and Hepzibah have a longstanding feud. But they also think Judge Pyncheon is in the right and that Hepzibah and Clifford have gone to live with him anyway. If they only knew the truth!