Nathaniel Hawthorne's Story 'Mid-Eighteenth Century Massachusetts My Kinsman'

Nathaniel Hawthorne’s tale of mid-eighteenth century Massachusetts My Kinsman, Major Molineux describes the infuriating journey of Robin, a country teen searching for his kinsman who offers to provide him work opportunities to make an auspicious start into the new world. Throughout much of the story, Robin’s efforts to locate his kinsman are impeded at every turn due to several obstacles. Although locating his kinsman, his would-be benefactor, initially seems unchallenging at first, things turn for the worst when Robin is met with dissent from the moment he steps off the ferry. Even after he eventually finds his kinsman, he comes to realize that his expectations might have been too far-fetched. Eugene K. Garber, a distinguished teaching professor …show more content…
Spying on an old man with “a full periwig of gray hair, a wide-skirted coat of dark cloth, silk stockings rolled above his knees, and carrying a polished cane” (Hawthorne pg. 239), Robin tugs at his coat, bids him good evening, and asks for the whereabouts of his kinsman, Major Molineux. The old man responds by stating, “Let go my garment, fellow! I tell you, I know not the man you speak of. If this be the respect you show for your betters, your feet shall be brought acquainted with the stocks by daylight, tomorrow morning!” (Hawthorne pg. 239). This represents Robin’s first obstacle on his road of trials and the man’s inhospitable response to Robin and the town’s unwillingness to aid Robin in finding his kinsman. As Robin continues to search for his kinsman, he sets his sights on an innkeeper who comes over and welcomes Robin. However, as a paper on the wall that describes an escaped indentured servant fits Robin’s characteristics, the innkeeper says, “Better trudge boy; better trudge” (Hawthorne pg. 242), and a sneering glance and a general laugh encapsulates Robin as he asks where his kinsman is, once again. As he fails a second time, Robin begins to feel the xenophobia, the fear of foreigners, that the city has for him. However, as a typical hero would, Robin must overcome these impediments and accomplish his …show more content…
When Robin finally meets his kinsman, “the Major is not only dispossessed of his powers, but is the subject of disgrace and ridicule” (Garber pg. 89), as he is a victim of tarring and feathering amongst a brutal crowd. Molineux was the person who promised to help Robin make his way into the world, a man Robin thought had been held in high esteem, but was actually subjected to painful, physical tribulation in ridicule and wild laughters. After witnessing his kinsman’s atrocious degradation, he goes through apotheosis as “he sends forth a shout of laughter that echoes through the street” (Hawthorne pg. 254), realizing what an utter fool he had been. As he spontaneously and uncontrollably bursts out laughing, Robin’s last straw is released. Robin went through a prolonged and strenuous course of action as he attempted to find his “highly respected kinsman” but as he saw that his kinsman was the complete opposite, he came to a self realization that his desire for his kinsman’s promised money and assistance is a fallacy. The apotheosis, although not emphasized as much as the boon in the hero’s journey, plays an essential role in Robin’s journey because he realizes that he has to be self reliant. Furthermore, he realizes that he must venture out without any help into the new world, as Garber states, “he will not ascend from the underworld, but