Re: The Deerslayer

Posted by Gayle on November 06, 1999 at 15:54:04:

In Reply to: Re: The Deerslayer posted by Dana S. on November 06, 1999 at 15:02:02:

: : So! How about Hurry Harry? What do you like or dislike about him, and why do you think Cooper created the character?

: : Gayle

: Happy Deerslayer Day!!! I liked Hurry Harry! He put me to mind of Forest Tucker. He's so moody and unpredictable, though. Totally opposite of Natty. I think that is the purpose of Hurry's character. To provide contrast. Hurry makes Natty look all the better. Then you have the contrast between the two sister's. I can only imagine what is going to happen when all these opposites are thrown together.

: Dana S.

I tend to want to like Harry, too, at times. He is like Duncan in the movie - has a few admirable traits. When he actually attacked Natty for commenting rather cooly that he would not hesitate to pass on Harry's threat to the proper authorities if Judith's hypothetical husband were found murdered, I had the feeling that he was absolutely without morals or any kind of human feeling whatever. That impression was strengthened when he spouted off about his views on the relative status of the races. Still, it was Harry who had discovered the sapling bowed down by the weight of the snow and stopped to straighten it and prop it against a branch so it could grow up toward the sun - a very compassionate and sensitive thought for someone who comes across as so crude and unfeeling. And I wondered - does Harry have some redeeming qualities after all, and is he going to turn out to be a hero of sorts? Still it is Natty who is written as the thoughtful moralist. Cooper creates some interesting contradictions in these two men as the story progresses - worth keeping track of.

Does it strike you that Hetty Hutter and Natty Bumppo are written as mirror images of each other? How often does Cooper describe Natty's looks, expressions and actions with precisely the same words he uses to describe Hetty? Do you see any real difference in the two characters other than the fact that Natty is free to roam the forest and make a life for himself, while Hetty must remain dependent and sheltered because she is a girl? Again, the deceptive contrast of characters - when all is said and done, will Judith display the same strength of character and self-sufficiency that Hetty does? This is another thing to ponder as the book progresses.

So where are Chris and Kate when we need them? Hey guys - it's Deerslayer Day!

Gayle

Follow Ups:

• Re: The Deerslayer Kate 20:40:52 11/06/99 (6)
  • Re: The Deerslayer - Redeeming Qualities Gayle 07:42:02 11/07/99 (2)
    • Re: The Deerslayer - Redeeming Qualities Dana S. 10:58:34 11/07/99 (1)
      • Re: The Deerslayer - Redeeming Qualities Gayle 13:13:42 11/07/99 (0)
  • Re: The Deerslayer - Hetty Hutter Gayle 07:17:49 11/07/99 (2)
    • Re: The Deerslayer - Hetty Hutter Dana S. 11:06:58 11/07/99 (1)
      • Re: The Deerslayer - Hetty Hutter Gayle 12:46:51 11/07/99 (0)

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: 
: : : So! How about Hurry Harry?  What do you like or dislike about him, and why do you think Cooper created the character?

: : : Gayle

: 
: : Happy Deerslayer Day!!!  I liked Hurry Harry!  He put me to mind of Forest Tucker.  He's so moody and unpredictable, though.  Totally opposite of Natty.  I think that is the purpose of Hurry's character.  To provide contrast.  Hurry makes Natty look all the better.  Then you have the contrast between the two sister's.  I can only imagine what is going to happen when all these opposites are thrown together.

: : Dana S.

: I tend to want to like Harry, too, at times.  He is like Duncan in the movie - has a few admirable traits. When he actually attacked Natty for commenting rather cooly that he would not hesitate to pass on Harry's threat to the proper authorities if Judith's hypothetical husband were found murdered, I had the feeling that he was absolutely without morals or any kind of human feeling whatever.  That impression was strengthened when he spouted off about his views on the relative status of the races.  Still, it was Harry who had discovered the sapling bowed down by the weight of the snow and stopped to straighten it and prop it against a branch so it could grow up toward the sun - a very compassionate and sensitive thought for someone who comes across as so crude and unfeeling.  And I wondered - does Harry have some redeeming qualities after all, and is he going to turn out to be a hero of sorts?  Still it is Natty who is written as the thoughtful moralist.  Cooper creates some interesting contradictions in these two men as the story progresses - worth keeping track of.

: Does it strike you that Hetty Hutter and Natty Bumppo are written as mirror images of each other?  How often does Cooper describe Natty's looks, expressions and actions with precisely the same words he uses to describe Hetty?  Do you see any real difference in the two characters other than the fact that Natty is free to roam the forest and make a life for himself, while Hetty must remain dependent and sheltered because she is a girl?   Again, the deceptive contrast of characters - when all is said and done, will Judith display the same strength of character and self-sufficiency that Hetty does?  This is another thing to ponder  as the book progresses. 

: So where are Chris and Kate when we need them?  Hey guys - it's Deerslayer Day!

: Gayle 


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