La Maison aux sept pignons

The house’s presence is so vivid and symbolic—did Hawthorne base it on a real place, or was it purely a literary construct? How does it enhance the story’s themes?

While the gothic atmosphere is compelling, some parts felt a bit slow. Was that intentional to build tension or reflect the characters' introspection?

The moral decay seems intertwined with the house itself. Do readers see this as a critique of society, or more of a personal moral allegory?