Monday, September 17, 2012
Leatherstocking and his Really Big Gun
Keeping in mind the American mindset in the early 19th
century, speculate about why people living in the new republic would have found
the Leatherstocking character so appealing.
In answering this, you might recall Thoreau’s points about
looking/walking West. To the east, he
said, is tradition, art, religion, Europe; to the West is nature, the future,
the unknown, the new America. Recall,
too, that America was said to have something of an inferiority complex,
especially when it came to art and literature. Given the cultural
psychology of America in the 19th century, why was Deerslayer such
an enormously popular figure?
Speculate!
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I believe that Leatherstocking was such a famous and appealing character during that time was a result of a few things. One thing being that in the scenes that we read, he outsmarted and appeared smarter than the Native Americans. During that time I am sure that whites liked thinking that they had a bigger brain and were smarter than other races. Another reason I believe that Deer Slayer was so famous because he was an American "badass." He was the super hero of the time, he new many different peoples and im sure killed a lot of people and animals so he was and American hero and people looked up to him. Lastly, I think he was so well liked was because he did things people wished they could do. He went to the terrifying "west" and did all these things. This ties in with the hero thing but I think people wished they had the courage and ability to do what Leatherstocking was capable of doing.
ReplyDeleteThe series was published fairly close to the revolution, and the American people still had rebelliousness on their minds. Leatherstocking is a perfect example of opposing and criticizing the "eastern" way of life. He is from European decent, but he dresses and acts like a native american. He runs a rugged simplistic lifestyle, and thats why he was so popular. Americans came to the west to escape from the tradition values of Europe, and Leatherstocking portrays this idea. He shoots deer in free open land while Europeans get taxed by a kings. Americans felt like they could become him, become a symbol of America.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to Cooper, I believe Deerslayer was appealing to many Americans during the 19th century because of his remarkable ingenuity. I believe that many Americans thought that some common characteristics of the American people included being inventive, original, and creative. Of course I can only speculate, but I believe the 19th century Americans believed in these characteristics due to the exponential growth that coincided with industrialization. Although most Americans during the 19th century turned from skilled workers to unskilled workers, I fell that this fact especially made Americans hope that they were still inventive, original, and creative even though the majority of the population in reality didn’t implement any of those characteristics due to the decreased availability for skilled occupations.
ReplyDeleteDeerslayer resembles this honest, yet courageous character, with the wits and cleverness to add onto his appealing characteristics. During the time, Deerslayer was a character that many American people looked to and admired. Whether the American people found similar traits in themselves that Deerslayer possessed, or just that fact that Deerslayer was this smart and witty character, gives Deerslayer this appealing image that many Americans looked up to. Another reason why Deerslayer was an attractive character to many Americans is because in a way, he symbolized the American type of man. In the chapter, Deerslayer “roasts” the Native Americans, basically saying that his skin and his race is better than these Native Americans, and that he will never associate with them. This maybe gave the American people, at the time, a sense of pride of who they were, and that they were far superior than others. I’m just spitballin’ here. All together Deerslayer was an appealing character to many Americans.
ReplyDeleteI believe the appeal factor of Leatherstocking for 19th Century Americans lies in Cooper's character's intellectual make-up. When under any circumstance Leatherstocking is seen calm, collected, and calculated in his decision making. Leatherstocking's cunning ability to outwit Indian tribes on multiple occasions allows readers to label him with an immortality tag. For a frontiersman to communicate with Indians, interact in their community councils, and thwart any of their attempts to capture him, Leatherstocking could have provided Americans a sense of liberation from their fears regarding the savages inhabiting the land just to the West. In many ways Leatherstocking also empowered Americans in exhibiting many weaknesses and conquerable traits that were thought to exist among the Indian nations.
ReplyDeleteI believe the character traits are a deliberate attempt on the part of Cooper to stimulate and qualify the inferiority complex associated with post-revolution American culture. But let's be honest, who in those times wouldn't hop on the bandwagon of an original literary hero on the side of Americans?
HItting right with what Walker mentioned, i noticed the stories were set around the time period of the American revolution. Leaving the European world was our first sight of freedom. While the vast majority of people still were used to living with rules, and higher superiority, Deerslayer lives for himself and does what he so pleases. He is idolized for his qualities as a person, mainly because he is honest, caring, and down to earth. He also represents Thoreau's ideas of walking or looking west. His character depicts what the west has to offer. (Freedom, virgin land, and endless opportunities)
ReplyDeleteWalker... Way to write an adequate amount. That's right, I just called you out. Anyways, I agree with what Cooper and Joe have said this far. Also I would like to expand on their ideas. Yes, Deerslayer was a very appealing character in the 19th century because of his smarts,his "badassness," and his heroic attitude. However I believe that he was truly an appealing figure because, Cooper, not Luvisa, was one of the first to write about the American hero. Deerslayer reminds me of a rebel who is willing to move westward in search of a new adventure, and potentially interesting discoveries. This must have caught the attention of Americans because thy were tired of Eastern, specifically European stories and ideals. People saw this as a window of opportunity to break away and begin associating themselves with western ideas. And I guess i'll agree with Walker just to be nice... by seeing what was possible "Americans felt like they could become him, become a symbol of America."
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Leatherstocking character was incredibly appealing because he represented everything that America was founded upon. He was that quintessential American hero; strong, courageous, quick, witty, and wholeheartedly American. He fought Indians, but he still treated them like people, with respect. He was a brave and clever warrior, but always escaped even the most risky situations. People admired him for being such a good representative of the new America. As a new country, America began to form an identity during the early 19th century. Leatherstocking was the ultimate hero of all of the founding ideals: strength, freedom, and independence. Americans were proud of this character-- he DID "literally brain" a guy on the spot. Like Mr. Harrington said, America had an inferiority complex in regards to literature and art, and Cooper's novel and Leatherstocking lifted us out of this sad place without good literature and put us on the map, showing the world that we had something to offer!
ReplyDeleteLeatherstocking was a very appealing character to 19th Century readers because of his character and the theme of integration. Leatherstocking was a superhero. He is the type of character everyone wanted to be in real life due to his truthful and intrepid personality. Readers anticipate what his next action would be, from keeping his promise to throwing a knife at Le Panther's head. Leatherstocking's distinct character also displays individuality. Americans were sinking farther into civilization and forgetting the wild west individuals that America once had. The biggest fear in the 19th century was integration. Americans feared native Americans would combine with the white civilization. A majority of Americans were incredibly racist during the 19th century and this story made them feel accepted with their opinions. Leatherstocking's character implied that he felt sympathy for the Native Americans, but that it was true and right for them to slowly disappear. Therefore, people loved Cooper's work because the character related to personalities and themes that were respected in 19th century America.
ReplyDeleteDeerslayer and the following adventures gathered widespread popularity during the 19th century primarily because of two reasons; the allure of the west and need for a sense of American Literature and culture. The idea of the west, and the ideas associated with it, including freedom, the pursuit of happiness are also some of the ideas that the nation was founded upon. Portrayed in the novel, the open country untainted provided allure for many living in the East. In addition, the need for culture helped bring popularity to the novel possibly out of curiosity and hope for the novels success. Many most likely bought the novel wondering whether it was quality writing and possibly to support it. In addition, the novel takes place in the United States and unclaimed territory which also helped draw popularity to it. Lastly, the novel portrays a strong man of white descent with native ways which helps to provide a sense of mystery and appeal to the character Deerslayer.
ReplyDeletei think Deerslayer was such an important figure in literature during the 19th century because of the way he was presented to the readers of that time. Not only was he American, like his audience, but also because he was a relatable subject. This was the first time people got excited about a series set in America and not Europe. Deerslayer was all about the west and living a new and exciting life. Though he didnt treat the indians he came into contact with the best, he did almost treat them like humans which was huge for the time. It was almost like he was a personafication of young America
ReplyDeleteThe 19th century was a time in American history when the young nation was trying to define itself. It had vast lands to the west, yet inhabited by Indians and many people to the East, yet living in big cities. The American people needed to move west to continue to populate the western parts of the new nation. Whether people were afraid to make the move or simply felt the East was a better place to live in, Deerslayer changed that feeling. He was a courageous hero, one that triumphed over his Indian foes. These two characteristics led to Americans perceiving two things: Americans are awesome and will always defeat Indians. These are two ample reasons as to why Deerslayer was also so popular, he embodied an example of what the young nation saw as its people. America during the 19th century was a place of uncertainty as to what direction the new century would take the country. Deerslayer was just what the country needed, to lead the way. He led Americans toward a certain way of thinking, one that would inevitably influence Americans to travel west and brave the lesser Indians.
ReplyDeleteAs far as why Natty Bumpo was such an important character in 19th century it is in large part due to America's inferiority complex. We were a new nation with not too much to show for it literature-wise. We had just won the War of 1812 showing the world that we were not just some arrogant colony, we were our own country and had our own identity. Deerslayer comes into play by giving Americans that unique identity by straddling the line between east and west, Europe and the untamed wilds of America. Playing off of the victory in 1812 Cooper used Deerslayer, as an action hero who could also out think his opponent, to make people feel good about being American. Cooper was really trying to make Deerslayer the best of both worlds, East and West. In doing so he also showed how he wanted America to be a combination of the two worlds, only without the Native Americans.
ReplyDeleteThe Leatherstocking tales were the beginning of "The Classic Western". It was the president, setting the stage and plot line for its future brain children. Cooper's stories were significant because they embodied a theme that would ultimately prove to be an everlasting theory. People are always looking to find new opportunities, and the Western frontier was thought of with an abundance of them. Deerslayer represented the American hero we all wanted to be, enticing us with the extra hint of adventure that the author laces the plot with. He was the ideal American: brave, powerful, and loyal to not only his people, but his moralities. As Benjamin Franklin was the poster child for the Enlightenment, Deerslayer is that of the American West. One of the reasons the West was so enticing was that it's history had not yet been written. People viewed this with anxious hope and a passionate desire to be a part of it. The leather stocking tales resemble this statement. Even though it followed somewhat of a similar plot, Deerslayer's next adventure was always waiting to be found. People related to and found admiration in Deerslayer, making him and his adventures legendary.
ReplyDeleteSorry it was so late! I completely forgot about to blog. Regarding the popularity of the Leatherstocking tales, I believe the major reason why the series was so successful was because of the suspense that comes with survival situation. Natty Bumppo constantly got himself into situations that required him to outwit or outmaneuver his opponents, which is both suspenseful and exciting. Natty Bumppo also has the "superhero factor" and lets face it, who wouldn't want to be able to catch a tomahawk mid-revolution and return it to its sender so to speak? The series was also popular because it provided a glimpse into the wild, rugged world of the American West that those confined to the Northeastern seaboard would otherwise not see. All in all, I definitely think the popularity of the series can be tied to the wildness / ruggedness of Natty Bumppo and his embodiment of the American ideals, but overall I think it just a cheap thrill that takes advantage of human's innate desire to be superhuman.
ReplyDelete