The Pyncheon Family Curse refers to a longstanding belief that misfortune plagues the descendants of the Pyncheon family, a fictional lineage created by author Nathaniel Hawthorne in his novel, "The House of the Seven Gables." The curse is said to have originated from the wrongful execution of Matthew Maule, a man accused of witchcraft, who cursed the family before his death. Throughout the story, the curse manifests in various ways, leading to financial ruin, illness, and tragic events for the family members. The narrative explores themes of guilt, retribution, and the impact of the past on the present, ultimately questioning whether the curse is a real force or a product of the family's own actions.