Moral views of Natty Bumpo from the
Natty Bumpo is the main character of James Fenimore Cooper's 'Leatherstocking Tales'. His moral views are based upon his religious devotion to absolute, not relative, truth, the truth that is in accord with the laws of nature. Hence his acceptance of cultural pluralities and his tolerant understanding of different moral views.Since Natty Bumpo is conceived as a mythical figure, he is given a very vague origin. He hardly remembers his early childhood and white family. In the 'Deerslayer' Cooper informs the reader only that Natty was raised by some missionaries among the friendly Indian tribe, the Delawares. Natty is proud of his white origin and though he has grown up among the Indians and has formed a deep and a life-long friendship with the young
The distinction he makes between them is not based on traditional prejudices. Natty Bumpo is illiterate and knows rather little about the world beyond the wilderness. In the wilderness, however, he has no rival. Each man knows and appreciates the values the other lives by, while each remain what he is. He makes a distinction between his faith and the faith of the Indian, but does not depreciate any culture. Natty Bumpo's greatest gift is the reverence for life, though he is a hunter and a fighter, and can never be seen without his rifle, Kildeer. He becomes a symbol of a moral view of life and a spiritual attitude that resists any other attribute but that comprised in the simple word - human. His deep friendship with the Indian chief Chingachgook is marked by mutual respect for the other's race and culture. He is surrounded by Indians, both good and evil, as well by the white frontiersmen who are also either good or evil. Though he has never accepted formal religion, he remains a Christian and his last wish is that something from the Holy Book be written on his tombstone. He judges every man according to his own individual worth. Natty is endowed the greatest gift God has given man, the faculty to distinguish good from evil. His eye is sharp, his hand quick, his shot precise.
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