Compare Contrast

A detailed Summary of Compare Contrast

Upon reading two pieces by Nathaniel Hawthorne, one book titled The House of the Seven Gables, and one short story titled My Kinsman, Major Molineux, I have come to the conclusion that these stories are very similar in some ways, but also have distinguishing differences.

The main themes of these two stories are different because. In My Kinsman, Major Molineux there is the theme of a mans destiny to find his ancestor instead of them haunting him as in The House of the Seven Gables, in which they are followed by their family curse. Although there doesn't appear to be a curse in My Kinsman, Major Molineux you get the feeling that there is some evil present. The House of Seven Gables is a story of innate wrongdoing and the affects of unpleasant times on the family. At one time the Pyncheons were rich and then in a situation of endless falling apart. Both the Pyncheon family and their mansion fall to the pity of society.

In both stories there is themes of the individual vs. society, Clifford and Robin in their struggle with society to come to terms with what is going on around them and the frustration that follows. There is belief in the existence in the devil and also a belief in determinism. Robin is determined to find his kinsma

The way that Robins kinsman Major Molineux is viewed is similar to the way Hephzibah's brother Clifford is viewed. Clifford is looked down upon because of his long sentence to prison for his suspicion of murder. Major Molineux is portrayed as some person that wonders the streets and is very weird. You get the sense that he is not liked at all because everyone Robin asks about his kinsman they all seem to react as if they are frightened by his existence. Major Molineux is seen this way because Robin is dreaming.

There is a similarity between the characters Phoebe and Robin. They are both visitors coming to find someone that is part of their heritage. Robin searches the whole town after getting off the ferry to find his kinsman, but he is either ignored or denied of any information by every person he asks. This situation is similar to Judge Pyncheons desire to meet with Clifford, because he is denied the privilege to speak or see him and both Judge Gaffrey and Robin are out to get money. Although in Gaffrey's case it is the land he is after, there is the underlining theme of money behind it. There is a similarity between the quests for finding some great piece of property, in Robin's case it is that he will find his kinsman in a large home with unbelievable wealth. There is a pretty, young woman in both stories, Phoebe, in The House of the Seven Gables, and the woman Robin meets on the street. The feelings of being lost, having no direction, almost a sense of roamin!

n and Gaffrey is determined to get the deed to the land. There is a travel to farawa

Some common words found in the essay are:
Seven Gables, Major Molineux, Molineux Robin, Molineux Phoebe, Clifford Robin, Gables Gaffrey, Gaffrey Robin, Hepzibah Robin, Phoebe Robin, major molineux, seven gables, house seven gables, House Seven, house seven, kinsman major molineux, kinsman major, stories house seven, settings stories, writing style, short story, robin dreaming, stories house, pyncheon family,

Approximate Word count = 1053
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English