My Kinsman Major Molineux

In literature, there are two types of third-person narration: omniscient and limited. The third-person omniscient point of view allows the narrator to access and share the thoughts of all characters. Typically, the third-person limited point of view only follows the thoughts of a single character—most often those of the protagonist.

In “My Kinsman, Major Molineux,” the author uses omniscient narration, though the story most often follows Robin’s perspective. Through Robin’s point of view, we are able to see his internal struggle measured against external conflict. This allows us to observe—with greater depth—his progression from optimistic to melancholy to maniacal.

While the story mostly follows Robin’s perspective, there are instances when the POV shifts to other characters. The first example is when the ferryman observes Robin:

While he stood on the landing-place, searching in either pocket for the means of fulfilling his agreement, the ferryman lifted a lantern, by the aid of which, and the newly risen moon, he took a very accurate survey of the stranger’s figure (1).

Hawthorne follows this quote with a description of Robin from the ferryman’s perspective.