Uncle Venner Character Analysis in The House of the Seven Gables

Uncle Venner is Hepzibah’s neighbor, a fixture on Pyncheon Street. He’s an old, wrinkled, nearly toothless man, and he does odd jobs in the neighborhood to support himself, also collecting scraps for his pet pig. He has a poetic sort of wisdom that belies his simple, ragged exterior. Hepzibah, Clifford, and Phoebe invite Uncle Venner to join them on their country estate at the end of the novel.

Uncle Venner Character Timeline in The House of the Seven Gables

The timeline below shows where the character Uncle Venner appears in The House of the Seven Gables. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...she finds a wrinkled, nearly toothless man in a patched-together outfit, a longtime neighbor named Uncle Venner . He is a tough and vigorous old man who does errands like wood-splitting, digging,... (full context)

Uncle Venner speaks kindly to Hepzibah about her new venture, saying that it’s good for young people... (full context)

...into the shop all day. Gingerbread sells out once again, thanks to little Ned Higgins. Uncle Venner praises the angelic character of Phoebe’s work, and indeed there’s “a spiritual quality” to it—even... (full context)

...all day drowsing in his chair, but Phoebe often coaxes him into the garden, where Uncle Venner and Holgrave have made repairs to the arbor, providing a shady place to sit. Phoebe... (full context)

After Phoebe goes to church on Sundays, she, Clifford, Hepzibah, Holgrave, and Uncle Venner gather in the Pyncheon garden. Clifford especially enjoys Uncle Venner’s company because the latter, besides... (full context)

...into womanhood. Phoebe also bids goodbye to Ned Higgins, who stops by for gingerbread, and Uncle Venner , who calls her an “angel” whom the old Pyncheons cannot live without. (full context)

A little after sunrise, Uncle Venner makes his way down the street, collecting scraps for his pet pig. He is surprised... (full context)

...of the Seven Gables and establish themselves in the Judge’s country estate. They, along with Uncle Venner , gather in the parlor one last time. Clifford suddenly remembers that, in his youth,... (full context)

Phoebe invites Uncle Venner to come and live with them on the estate, where he can help keep Clifford’s... (full context)