Upon reading two pieces by Nathaniel Hawthorne, one book titled The House of the Seven Gables, and one short story titled My Kinsman, Major Molineux, I have come to the conclusion that these stories are very similar in some ways, but also have distinguishing differences.
             The main themes of these two stories are different because. In My Kinsman, Major Molineux there is the theme of a mans destiny to find his ancestor instead of them haunting him as in The House of the Seven Gables, in which they are followed by their family curse. Although there doesn't appear to be a curse in My Kinsman, Major Molineux you get the feeling that there is some evil present. The House of Seven Gables is a story of innate wrongdoing and the affects of unpleasant times on the family. At one time the Pyncheons were rich and then in a situation of endless falling apart. Both the Pyncheon family and their mansion fall to the pity of society.
             In both stories there is themes of the individual vs. society, Clifford and Robin in their struggle with society to come to terms with what is going on around them and the frustration that follows. There is belief in the existence in the devil and also a belief in determinism. Robin is determined to find his kinsman and Gaffrey is determined to get the deed to the land. There is a travel to faraway settings in both stories. Robin travels by ferry to find Major Molineux and Phoebe comes from New England to find her heritage. There is an individual's isolation from the community, the effect of the past on the present, the results of sin and guilt, and the evil of mistreatment. The effects of the past on the present can be related to the effects of the Pyncheon curse that follows the family for a long time. In both stories there is a shop for petty commodities located in the front of the house. In The House of the Seven Gables there is a shop that Hepzibah maintains beca!
             use she has no other alternative for money...