The Deerslayer by James Fennimore Cooper

The first in the Leatherstocking Tales chronologically, but the last to be published. Of course, I did not know this when trying to decide whether or not I wanted to read more of the series or just Last of the Mohicans. But, being ever the purist, I decided I would at least start at the beginning.

My Development of the American Novel Professor had warned us that the Leatherstocking Tales weren't all that fantastic with the exception of Last of the Mohicans and if I remember right The Deerslayer might've also gotten an honorable mention.
The first thing that struck me was the hokey dialogue. Deerslayer is supposed to be under-educated and Cooper shows this by way of phonetic spelling. The irony of this, however, is that despite the improper pronounciations of words, Deerslayer speaks like a Shakespearian actor, or some other person who's poetically inclined and knows all those $5 words.
Cooper also has Deerslayer giving soliloquies at key points in the plot that almost make for GI Joe moments: "And knowing is half the battle!"

BUT--
Hokey dialogue aside--
The plot is solid and captivating. Like I said, this book preceeds LotM, so the French and Indian war is starting to percolate. We have the beautiful Judith and the pretty, but feeble-minded Hetty. And their father, Thomas Hutter.(Disclaimor: I'm writing this, keeping in mind that some haven't read it yet.) We also have the 'handsome' 'Hurry Harry' who figures he's entitled to marry Judith since handsome and beautiful are destined to go together.-Like peas and carrots- But don't forget the Delawares/Mohicans. Chingachgook, who is in search of his betrothed, Wah-ta-Wah. Or Hist, as Cooper has decided to nickname her.(Which creates a curiosity in some of LotM's dialogues between Chingachgook and Hawkeye). Anyway--It's a daring escape plan to get Chingachgook back his betrothed and the plan ends up including Hutter and Hurry when they get to gready and overzealous for their own good(Wanting Indian scalps)
To the Indians, Hetty is touched. She is a curiosity and a subject of pity. The curious part about it to me, is that she knows that she's a little on the slow side. She openly talks about being feeble-minded. Like she's gotten used to people treating her like some poor creature that doesn't understand English. Maybe this is part of her condition:- I suppose in some ways, what makes Hetty so unique and pure is that she's fully aware of what people have said about her and her intelligence, yet bears them no malice. Nor does she let this affect her self-esteem in any way. She's very resigned in it. As long as she's got her Bible, Hetty is afraid of nothing. Her mother had told her that she may not have brains or beauty like her sister Judith, but it's even more important to have faith. The Bible. Hetty believes so literally both in what her mother had told her about adhering to the Bible as well as what is written in said book, that she'll shrug off dangerous or pessimistic situations- declare that the Lord will provide and follows that old rule book as literally as possible. And she believes this 'rule book' is so universal that the Indians need to hear about it as well-That the 'Grace of God' would release Hutter and Hurry. The Indians raise a valid issue when Hetty reads from the Bible about turning the other cheek. They say Hutter and Hurry didn't follow this rule. Nor had many other white men. So why should the Indian honor it?
Such moments in the story seem to cancel out Cooper's excessive use of the word "Savage" when talking about the Hurons. Moments when he gives us a lucid piece of natural logic. Showing us how much more pragmatic the Indians are than palefaces.
There are at least 2 or 3 papers here(For the college student)- Whether it be religion or the way Cooper depicts 'redman' culture versus 'paleface' culture. For instance, the way Deerslayer identifies and sympathizes with the Indian way of life, yet at the same time makes sure he proudly proclaims he's a white man and how this sets him apart from the redman. But you could get in there and take that apart, too- By not cheaping out and calling it prejudice, but by turning attention to what Deerslayer exactly says.

So, flowery narration and hokey dialogue aside, The Deerslayer has enough depth to it that a couple of Literature Majors could get lost in conversation about themes and theories. But you don't have to be a Lit Major to enjoy this book. Hell, you probably wouldn't even have to be an adult to enjoy it. I think it could work in the 'Young Adult' section, too. Maybe it's already been.