In a typical Hawthorne world of moonbeams and shadows, the greatest pain for the Kinsman is not the tar and feathers, an extremely painful procedure, but making eye contact with the nephew to whom he had portrayed himself as a big shot. Most Americans have been taught to cheer for the mobs that brought down the British, but in this story, the mob “tramples on an old man’s heart.” Hawthorne doesn’t even try to say who was right, Patriot or Tory? Rather he shows the human tragedy of ordinary people caught up the forces of revolution.

Question

In My Kinsman Major Molineau, Hawthorne

a)approves of the mob's actions

b)sees the mob as cruel and undiscriminating

c)sides with the Americans against the British

d)sides with the British against the Americans

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Sorry. I am not understanding this passage to answer the question...:(

Answer 1

Keep in mind the world in which Hawthorne was born and grew up and lived ... the VERY early US. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Hawthorne )

These sentences in the passage should help you focus on the overall point:

"Most Americans have been taught to cheer for the mobs that brought down the British, but in this story, the mob 'tramples on an old man’s heart.'"
AND
"Hawthorne doesn’t even try to say who was right, Patriot or Tory" So you can immediately toss out C and D!
AND
"Rather he shows the human tragedy of ordinary people caught up the forces of revolution."

What do you think?

Answer 2

B?sees the mob as cruel and undiscriminating

Answer 3

Exactly!