Nathaniel Hawthorne

            Hawthorne demonstrates his historical reflections in his literature, through the selected tales and sketches of "Roger Malvin's Burial" and "My Kinsman Major Molineux." In both stories Hawthorne addresses the political events of the time period, which indicates devotion to history, obvious throughout the "Provincial Tales." Many critics argue the sincerity of Hawthorne's historic references, professor Colacurcio states, "The literary merit has continued to seem more and more obvious and unflawed; so that ever since the initial moment of re-discovery and re-valuation, the critical history of this tale can fairly be described as the dialogue created by a series of more or less elegant attempts to set it fee from its historical moorings" (Colacurcio, 131). Despite the level of perfect literature in "Roger Malvin's Burial," and "My Kinsman Major Molineux," Hawthorne is historical in both narratives. He alludes to the "Lovell's Fight" in "Roger Malvin's Burial," and the Revolutionary war in "My Kinsman Major Molineux.".
             Hawthorne introduces "Roger Malvin's Burial" by historically stating the political events that took place in 1725. He notes that in 1725 the Indian warfare battles occurred. Hawthorne also notes that after the Indian warfare, another battle shortly followed, and was well-remembered as, "Lovell's Fight." Hawthorne historically writes, "One of the few incidents of Indian warfare, naturally susceptible of the moonlight of romance, was that expedition, under taken, for the defense of the frontiers, in the year 1725, which resulted in the well-remembered "Lovell's Fight" (51). Rueben Bourne, and Roger Malvin both participate in this historic battle, and are wounded in result of their servitude. However, Roger Malvin's wounds have destroyed his strength, thus forcing him to quit the fight, and rest while awaiting his heroic death. Roger Malvin encourages Rueben to leave him behind, "There is not two day's life in me, Reuben, "said the other, calmly, and I will no longer burthen you with my useless body, when you can scarcely support your own.