For those of you about to get your first tast of James Fenimore Cooper, I am thrilled for you. Cooper is an amazing author and I think will thoroughly enjoy his work.
Historical Setting-Both of these books are set in the colonial era of North America. England and France are at war (as they always were), England controls most of what is now the Eastern United States, France controls most what is Canada. The books are set in what would be northern Ohio, Pennsylvania, Western New York and Southern Ontario (Look on a Map). Deerslayer, also known as Hawkeye was raised by a tribe of Indians called the Mohicans a subtribe of the Deleware. Despite this, he is Christian, as is made clear. The Deleware are generally peaceful, but have been brought to point of the extinction by the warring tribes of the larger Mingo Nations which include the Mohawks, Hurnon, Senecas, etc.
The Indians are allied with the French and are therefore enemies of the British and American Colonists. The French would pay the Indians for every white man scalp delivered to them, assuming it was British and not French (how could they tell?)
The Last of the Mohicans is the more popular novel and stands on its own, however, Deerslayer is the first in the series and it might be easier to begin with. There is a Last of the Mohicans movie with Daniel Day Lewis, and it does a decent job, however, read the book first.
I think it is particularly interesting to note the views toward racism and prejudice demonstrated by the different characters. I think you will grow to love the character of Natty Bumpo, alias Deerslayer, alia Nathaniel, alias Hawkeye, etc.
For those of you about to get your first tast of James Fenimore Cooper, I am thrilled for you. Cooper is an amazing author and I think will thoroughly enjoy his work.
ReplyDeleteHistorical Setting-Both of these books are set in the colonial era of North America. England and France are at war (as they always were), England controls most of what is now the Eastern United States, France controls most what is Canada. The books are set in what would be northern Ohio, Pennsylvania, Western New York and Southern Ontario (Look on a Map). Deerslayer, also known as Hawkeye was raised by a tribe of Indians called the Mohicans a subtribe of the Deleware. Despite this, he is Christian, as is made clear. The Deleware are generally peaceful, but have been brought to point of the extinction by the warring tribes of the larger Mingo Nations which include the Mohawks, Hurnon, Senecas, etc.
The Indians are allied with the French and are therefore enemies of the British and American Colonists. The French would pay the Indians for every white man scalp delivered to them, assuming it was British and not French (how could they tell?)
The Last of the Mohicans is the more popular novel and stands on its own, however, Deerslayer is the first in the series and it might be easier to begin with. There is a Last of the Mohicans movie with Daniel Day Lewis, and it does a decent job, however, read the book first.
I think it is particularly interesting to note the views toward racism and prejudice demonstrated by the different characters. I think you will grow to love the character of Natty Bumpo, alias Deerslayer, alia Nathaniel, alias Hawkeye, etc.
Have fun!