Roger Malvin’s Burial by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1832): A Review

Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Roger Malvin's Burial" is an intriguing tale that balances moments of tension with mundane reality. At its surface, one could summarize the lesson as "don't trust your future son-in-law," a sentiment that might resonate during family Thanksgiving. However, the deeper message revolves around the importance of keeping promises—especially those made to a future father-in-law who is literally dying for a proper burial. 

This story doesn't feature ghosts or goblins; instead, it focuses on two characters escaping the battlefield after sustaining fatal injuries while trying to return home. The older chap, Roger, pulls a classic "you go on without me" move, then whips out a guilt trip to end all guilt trips, insisting the younger fellow promises to come back and either save him or, at the very least, dig a hole. No pressure, right? The younger man makes the promise, but when it comes time to act, he finds that playing the hero is less appealing than maintaining his reputation with his fiancée. Unbeknownst to him, his conscience will continue to nag at him, reminding him of the grave consequence of leaving his future father-in-law to a permanent state of rest. Spoiler alert: the ending doesn't bode well for the guilt-ridden young man or his family! 

If you're looking for a story that explores the pain of breaking a promise and the complications of family dynamics, mixed with a dose of guilt, "Roger Malvin's Burial" is a compelling read you didn't know you needed!