Moral views of Natty Bumpo from the essays

Moral views of Natty Bumpo from the essays Natty Bumpo is the main character of James Fenimore Coopers 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 Delaware chief Chingachgook, he never becomes indianized. 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. Natty Bumpo is illiterate and knows rather little about the world beyond the wilderness. In the wilderness, however, he has no rival. His eye is sharp, his hand quick, his shot precise. He knows the laws of the forest. From nature he has learned prudence, foresight, responsibility, respect, humility and simplicity. The forest is both the source of his existence and his great love. He objects to any kind of purposeless destruction of nature. Natty Bumpos greatest gift is the reverence for life, though he is a hunter and a fighter, and can never be seen without his rifle, Kildeer. His extraordinary skill with the rifle limits his killing to utmost necessity. He considers human life to be much more valuable than any property. He fires only when his life is absolutely endangered. Natty is endowed the greatest gift God has given man, the faculty to distinguish good from evil. He is surrounded by Indians, both good and evil, as well by the white fro...