Ap Reading and Comprehension - My Kinsman

Riley Barton

Ms. Sweeney

AP Reading and Comprehension

9-2-15

My Kinsman

        At the hour of nine o’clock in the evening, a young 18 year old English youth exited the ferry that bore him across the Atlantic and he took his first steps on Colonial American soil. This young man’s name was Robin.  Robin was sent to North America in search of his kinsman, Major Molineux. Molineux would provide him with both care and wealth because of the death of his father earlier in his life. Throughout Robin’s stay in America, he witnesses many surprises that no one would expect to experience while visiting the colonies.  In many different ways, Robin represents young America from his lowly class attire which symbolizes the immigrants of America. He also represents the American dream and the hatred the United States has for their mother country of Britain.

        French American writer, Jean do Crevecour, once said, “That America was a country made up of a mixture of blood seen now where else on Earth.” The character, Robin, portrays the many immigrants and minorities that make up the nation of America. Most immigrants who traveled the grueling distance to get to America were poor and had to sell themselves as indentured servants to pay off the costs of traveling to this country.  When Robin first arrives in search of his kinsman, the author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, describes his clothing as a “coarse gray coat that was well worn but in excellent repair.” The garments Robin arrives in represent America in a way many people may not notice because of the lack of importance but his outfit strongly contrasts with a description of the average American migrants who make up the nation entirely.

        When Robin exits the ferry for the first time with almost no possessions, this shows reference to the American dream. Many people have attempted the “American dream” because they believe anyone can achieve anything in America since origin is of no consequence. Robin is a great example of the “American dream” coming with nothing to search for his kinsman, Major Molineux, just as many others had in pursue of their various dreams.  Another example of the idea of the “American dream” is portrayed when the man with the red and black face exclaims, “no, my good friend Robin, not tonight, at least, if you continue to wish it, I      will speed you on your journey. Or if you prefer to remain with us, perhaps you may rise in the world without the help of your kinsman, Major Molineux.”  In the United States, anything is possible for people of all classes and those who receive no help from others.