Hawthorne utilizes imagery and analogy to convey his sentiments towards the US federal government. By indirectly comparing them to the vicious eagle, he no doubt thinks the government is merciless and evil. Through imagery he depicts he eagle, or government, as anything but motherly and friendly, forming a strong picture in the readers mind.
In this passage from "The Custom-House", Hawthorne describes the current condition of the custom house and how not only the building has hanged but also the business inside it. This can be seen in lines 2 through 8, as Hawthorne describes how with the run-down building comes run-down service, and how old Salmites could remember the time when it was thriving and new.
In this passage from "The Custom-House", Hawthorne describes the current condition of the custom house and how not only the building has hanged but also the business inside it. This can be seen in lines 2 through 8, as Hawthorne describes how with the run-down building comes run-down service, and how old Salmites could remember the time when it was thriving and new.