My Kinsman Major Molineux By Nathaniel Hawthorne Nathaniel

My Kinsman, Major Molineux By Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 -1864) Some classmates at Bowdoin College supplied him with government employment Later works show some Transcendentalist influence. 1. Belief in individual choice and consequence 2. Emphasis on symbolism

Summary Introduction to the background of colonial governors. (preface) Robin, a 18 yr lad went to a city for his kinsman. Experienced hostility from city people. Hungry, poor and tired, he waited by the street. A procession came by, with his kinsman in as a criminal. He woke up, wondering if it is a dream or real event, at the corner. Thinking of going home. The gentle man told him to stay “some few days hence. ”

Innocent (Childhood) Robin: Bird of spring, New life, Innocence At first : confident (think highly of his kinsman) - dwelling (589) - food & drink (590) - reputation (591) good in appearance (588) Proud - civilized (589) - usual shrewdness (591)

-> Maturity (Adulthood) Entered the city: “Knew not the way” (589) “Grabbing the old man’s coat” (589) Experienced hostility: refused to answer him Shame on himself: quiet & natural gait (592) Loosing innocence: cunning smile (593) aware of the unseen danger (- dame, guardian (593))

-> Maturity (Adulthood) Dream of past: seek for returning (596) In the procession (599): Procession (noisy, bright, full of laughter) <-> Robin (quiet, dark, lonely, scared) : Scared of such maturity, growth. Robin laugh: recognizing his own folly. (600) Robin <-> Gentleman: no going back to innocence. (600) (time to learn independence)

Religion – All man as sinners River: Styx river Leader of procession: devil-like, sinner Crowd: sinners When Robin laughed with the crowd, he also became one of them, sinners. Light on opened scripture: God’s presence. Gentleman’s reply: no going back (undo sin)

Goodman vs. Robin Character: naïve, has idealized (untrue) view. complete change in one night. loss of innocence. (faith) Event happened: Blurred (symbolic) experience Duality of human nature Result: Robin: understand reality. (Staying in the city and grow) Brown: give up faith. (Died in frustration)

American Dream Franklin: makes such dream looked easy. 1. Start in daytime. (bright and easy) 2. Friendly city men. 3. Time of gain. (A wife, job, wealthy, reputation, independence, freedom) Hawthorne: emphasize the harsh world. 1. Starts at night. (darkness of the harsh world) 2. Hostility 3. Time of loss. (innocence -> guilty adulthood)

Works Cited “Goodman Vs Robin. ” Free Essays, Research Papers for Students. 2002. 21 Oct. 2004 <http: //www. essays. cc/free_essays/b 1/vdj 23. shtml>. Lemmel. “Re: My Kinsman, Major Molineux. ” Online posting. 8 Sep. 2003. Sparknotes. 20 Oct. 2004 <http: //mb. sparknotes. com/mb. epl? b=53&m=685831&h=molineux, my, major, kinsman >. “The American Dream. Or Nightmare? ” Digital Termpapers. 2004. 20 Oct. 2004 <http: //www. digitaltermpapers. com/view. php/d/ The_American_Dr. htm>. Thekernel. “Re: My Kinsman, Major Molineux. ” Online posting. 20 July 2003. Sparknotes. 20 Oct. 2004 <http: //mb. sparknotes. com/mb. epl? b=53&m=659797&h=molineux, my, major, kinsman>.