* Grab the reader's attention: The description of this mysterious and unsettling man immediately draws the reader in, making them curious about the story that follows.
* Establish the theme of mystery: The grinning man, with his unknown identity and motives, foreshadows the central theme of the essay, which is the elusive and complex nature of the "American Man."
* Introduce the concept of projection: Orlean uses the grinning man to explore how we project our own fears and fantasies onto others. The man's grin becomes a symbol of the unknown, both exciting and terrifying, which we often struggle to understand.
In short, the grinning man serves as a hook, drawing the reader into the essay and setting the stage for Orlean's exploration of masculinity in America.