"My Kinsman, Major Molineux"

Paper Summary:

This paper explains how Hawthorne created fundamentally distinct characters, not only to push Robin, the protagonist, further into the sinful chaos of the city and represent the dark theme of corruption and unruly decadence, but also to demonstrate his view that the American Revolution encompasses the chaos and vice inherent in the dark hearts of the American colonists.

From the Paper:

"A continual spiral into darkness forms the action of the short story, with the mob leader and the prostitute dragging Robin further into the shadowy depths of chaos. The prostitute plays an intricate role in the plot s progression, not only adding to Robin s confusion, but managing to create a situation in which Robin shows his strength of mind. While wandering the dim streets of Boston, Robin first encounters the prostitute who claims that Major Molineux is upstairs, a dishonest strategy to lure the young man into her home, where she can further seduce him. Initially confused by her deceit, Robin s hopes grow stronger as he believes he has reached the end of his quest. He soon realizes, however, that her intentions are corrupt and debauched, instigating his departure due to his strong morals. Moreover, the leader of the mob, whose face is fiendishly painted black and red, controls key moments of the story. While every other character refuses to answer Robin s inquiry as to the whereabouts of his relative or, in the case of the prostitute, tells lies rather than speak the truth the man of two faces is the only character willing to inform Robin where he can find Major Molineux, and is indeed the very person who brings the Major to the meeting place. Since the two-faced man is the leader of the mob, he is responsible for inducing the turning point of the story the spectacle of his kinsman s death during which Robin realizes the futility of asking for help from the Major, as well as from England. The double-faced man and the deceitful prostitute play vital roles in Robin s journey through the chaos of the city, because their actions further lead him to the breaking point of the story."

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