An analysis of Nathaniel Hawthorne's Roger Malvin's Burial

In "Roger Malvin's Burial," Hawthorne presents the story of a man who lies to his wife about how he helped her father in his dying days. The young man, Reuben Bourne, and his girlfriend's father, Roger Malvin, have been left wounded by a battle. After journeying for three days, Roger can no longer go on. Despite his request to Reuben that he should go home to his daughter, Dorcas, Reuben refuses and wants to stay …

…effects of sin and guilt. After Reuben deserts his battle companion and does not return to bury him as he promised, he feels additional guilt because he lied to his wife about it. Such massive guilt consumes his life so much that it alters his persona. This guilt gradually builds until he cannot control it anymore and the death of his son comes as a result of it. Thus, guilt can be an uncontrollable force.