James Fenimore Cooper (1789 - 1851)

Born in a wealth family best known for his stories of frontier life and pioneer adventure. lived abroad from 1826 - 1833, and during this time he defended American democracy in his writings

The PioneersThe Slaughter of the Pigeons

Setting Time: Close to April; when the snow disappeared Place: Otsego County, New York; village of Templeton Major Character Natty Bumpoo: in his early seventies, six feet tall; gray eyed, sandy hair, robust, but thin to emaciation.

The Slaughter of the pigeons

Respect nature Cooper reveals the concept of respecting nature (pigeons) by the descriptions dialogues between Natty Bumpoo and other characters (Judge Temple, Edward, Billy Kirby, and other man among the sportsman group..etc. )

People in town

vs.

Natty Bumpoo
Unsportsmanlike execution (444) This comes of setting a country,here have I known the pigeons fly for forty years...as harmless as a gartersnake. (446)

Men, women and children with fire-arms, the French duckinggunetc.(444) Whats that, old Leather-stocking!.. Grumbling at the loss of a few pigeons. (446)

People in town

vs.

Natty Bumpoo
Its made the same as all other creators, for mans eating, but not to kill twenty and eat one.(446) Its much better to kill only such as you want, without wasting your powder and lead,I come out for(447)

Youve grown mighty boasting, sin you killed the turkey(446)

People in town

vs. Natty Bumpoo

Victory! Victory! We have driven the enemy from the field.(448) Sport!it is princely sportthousands of the blue-coated boys on the ground so every women may have a pot-pie..(448)

Use, but dont waste. Wasnt the woods made for the beasts and birds to harbour in? (447)

People in town

After the first burst of sporting, the shooting of pigeons became a business, for the remainder of the season, more in proportion to the wants of the people. Richard, boasted for many a year, of his shot with the cricket. Benjamin gravely asserted, that he thought that they killed nearly as many pigeons on that day, as there were Frenchmen destroyed on the memorable occasions of Rodneys victory. (448)

Analysis
Natty

Bumpoo

Sportsmen

Pigeons: a creation of God Hunting: Get only the numbers you need

Pigeons: enemy Hunting: sport

The different concept toward nature between Indians and White.

References

James Fenimore Cooper www.xroads.virginia.edu/~UG02/Cooper The Pioneers by James Fenimore Cooper www.allreaders.com