In this novel as well, Nathaniel Hawthorne, without changing his traditions, focuses on the gothic style, filling the work with numerous symbols. Age-old strife, a generic curse, carefully guarded secrets impose their imprint on the heroes. Some of them chase wealth, others – mysteries of the past of their family, forgetting about everything and neglecting their own lives for the sake of vanity and passions.

Only a rare sanity and sincere love are able to win the long-term enmity.