“My Kinsman, Major Molineux” is a short story belonging to the genre of dark romanticism. Romanticism as a literary movement was centered on emotional, imaginative stories that were meant to make the reader feel something. While traditionally romantic stories featured heroic adventures and happily-ever-afters, dark romantic stories were more focused on depicting the grotesque while raising questions about human sinfulness and fallibility.
In “My Kinsman, Major Molineux” there are many dark romantic elements, such as the grotesque and otherworldly appearance of the horned man, whose face has clearly been painted on (with the devilish colors of red and black), but whose horns seem to be genuine outgrowths of his head. That the entire story takes place at night and is full of unnamed and unsavory characters—such as the old man, the innkeeper, and the prostitute—also grants the story a dark and eerie mood.
Hawthorne also intentionally explores themes related to the “dark” side of human nature, such as mob mentality. Not only does the entire town form a mob in order to tar, feather, and parade Major Molineux, but for a brief moment the innocent 18-year-old Robin considers joining the fray and publicly humiliating his cousin. He ultimately does not do so, but only because a kind gentleman intervenes, acting as a sort of moral compass.
