My Kinsman, Major Molineux
Nathaniel Hawthorne's story, "My Kinsman, Major Molineux", is set shortly before the American Revolution. The main character is a young man, Robin, who is traveling to the city to 'rise in the world', with the help of his uncle. Robin's journey into the city takes place at night, and Robin immediately seeks his kinsman by asking some of the residents. The story develops the events that lead Robin to discover why he is treated with such hostility when he asks directions to his uncle's home. Through his descriptive imagery concerning Robin's environment, his lack of informed judgement, and his subsequent awakening, Hawthorne makes the theme of "My Kinsman, Major Molineux" painfully obvious to the reader. Nathaniel Hawthorne uses great detail and references to sight, to create the night journey that Robin travels upon. He immediately uses the descriptions of Robin to create an image of a boy who is in an environment foreign to him. Robin is dressed in common country dress, which makes him appear as though he has never left the safety of his farm. Hawthorne begins to make references to sight imagery, such as, 'with an eager eye', and 'scrutinizes the small and mean wooden buildings'. Robin begins to use sight as a method of g
Robin's awakening comes when he encounters his uncle, tarred and feathered being paraded down the street. Upon witnessing the spectacle, Robin realizes his prior follies and his inability to realize some inescapable truths. While watching the crowd approach, Robin says to himself that the double-faced fellow has, 'his eye upon me', once again referring to sight observation. He looks upon the faces of those who had mocked him so mercilessly. Once the crowd stops and begins to laugh at Robin, he picks out the laugh of the first man he asked, which was a constant reminder of his folly throughout the story. He hears the laughter of those that had scoffed at his inquiry or threatened him. He sees the faces of those whom he had embarrassed himself in front of. Robin begins to understand that one can not simply use an acquaintance's name to earn respect. He begins to understand the reason for the various events that night, and during this revelation he chooses to join in their laughter. It is during this moment that Robin has an epiphany, he finally realizes that which is obvious to the reader throughout the story. Through his sight description, Hawthorne allows the reader to see the world through the eyes of Robin. This permits the reader to have a clearer understanding of Robin's mistakes and the lessons he will inevitably have to learn. Using the theme of youthful initiation, the reader is able to recognize the lessons that Robin must learn, and have a greater insight to Robin's character. Since
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Approximate Word count = 1015
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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