Nathaniel Hawthorne My Kinsman Rhetorical Analysis

Humans spend most of their lives in search of their own purpose. They may seek to make money, gain power, or improve themselves. They may become lawyers, doctors, politicians, and soldiers. However every single one of these people will have wasted their life away if they don’t help others. Narcissism is what keeps people from achieving this higher purpose. Narcissism remains one of the world 's most forgotten problems. This problem is highlighted in Nathaniel Hawthorne 's My kinsman, Major Molineux. Hawthorne attempts to accentuate narcissism through the main character Robin and his adventures to Boston.
Hawthorne starts his short story uniquely with a short anecdote about the King of england appointed colonial governors to each of the colonies. This greatly angered the colonists. Hawthornes reveals this,”that of six governors in the space of about forty years from the surrender of the old charter, under James II, two were imprisoned by a popular insurrection; a

In My kinsman, Major Molineux it’s stated,”His cheek was somewhat pale, and his eye not quite as lively as in the earlier part of the evening.” Hawthorne conveys a loss of innocence through the imagery of Robins eyes. His eyes lose their light and this is a metaphor for Robins ego being crushed. By using imagery Hawthorne puts the reader into the story he makes it seem more real. Throughout the story Robin holds himself in a very high regard. However after seeing his kinsman tarred and feathered he is crushed. His ego deflates and he becomes less narcissistic. The bridge between ego and narcissism is the self. Hawthorne argues that if you take a step back and check your ego you may be able to help others. When you have a large ego and think you are more important than everyone else your interests are only in yourself. While it is natural for people to have large egos people must learn to scale them back in order to look out for