Abstract
This paper focuses on the subject of morality as depicted in James Fenimore Cooper's novel "The Deerslayer." The writer of this paper describes the plot and main characters of the novel, including Deerslayer and Hetty Hutter who both struggle to maintain their moral conscience while adhering to divine law. This paper illustrates the author's use of moral and religious ideas throughout the novel. This paper also discusses the critics who have praised as well as derided Cooper's novel.

From the Paper
"In The Deerslayer, Cooper sought to give final expression in the "Leatherstocking Tales", to his reactions and fears about America, especially after his long stay in Europe. Cooper is also preoccupied with the role of Christianity and Christian teachings in the American experience. Although he is a moralist and a defender of Christian ideas, Cooper is not necessarily optimistic about the acceptance of the religious message by his countrymen. He particularly expresses the dilemma between the lofty ideals of ethical and moral teachings and the present practices on the frontier."

Tags:literature, morality, religion, christianity, america

Abstract
The paper attempts to show how the morality of the main character in James Fenimore Cooper's "The Deerslayer", Natty Bumppo, is an extreme morality that involves spiritual communion with nature, a firm opposition to discrimination and hatred and an exaggerated state of divine morality. The paper discusses how Natty represents the embodiment of Cooper's morality in his battles against racism, hatred and killing while at the same time gleaning all the lessons and communion from and with nature that he can. The paper posits that this morality is worthy of aspiration, and the closer we come to achieving it, the closer we come to communing with nature and the Divine.

Outline:
Thesis Statement
Natty's Morality is Guided by Nature
Natty's Morality Derives from the Pure Morality of Nature
Natty's Morality is Exaggerated

From the Paper
"As much as any American writer, James Fenimore Cooper's work, is representative of the American frontier and the struggles of Native Americans and pioneers who took the advice of Horace Greeley and "went West." While many criticize the writing style and syntax of Cooper, almost no one denied the value of his work as being representative of "the self-actualized individual. . . . provided a calling for many new Americans who chose the West as a new frontier, a place to prove their individuality and self-worth" (Eberle 2). The Deerslayer is the fifth and final novel in the Leatherstocking Tales, a series of works devoted to the story of Natty Bumppo, who, in this novel, is labeled the "Deerslayer" or "Hawkeye." "The [sic] Deerslayer [sic] deals with racism, hatred, Manifest Destiny, technology/progress, and was the first environmentalist" ("True" 4)."

Tags:communion, nature, divine, racism, discrimination, Native-Americans

Tags:bumppo, chingachgook, deerslayer, fenimore, indian, leatherstocking, mohawk, natty, tales, uncas