The Unwavering Character of James Fenimore Coppers Deerslayer :: Character Analysis, Deerslayer

The Unwavering typeface of James Fenimore Coppers DeerslayerJames Fenimore Copper presents Deerslayer as a man of integrity, virtue, and honor. He is a warrior who lives by his word. Even if the situation places his carriage story in jeopardy, he refuses to abandon what he believes in and what he says he will do. Deerslayers greatest display of character and honor is seen when he refuses to agree his standards redden though it threatens his life.After saving Hist from the Hurons, Deerslayer was taken captive by them. The Hurons value Deerslayer for his honesty and integrity and therefore treated him accordingly. When the time came for Deerslayer to pay for his crimes the Hurons devised a situation that would spare his life. To pay for the life Deerslayer took the Indians requested that Deerslayer stay among their batch and provide for the fallen Indians family and take the widow for his married woman. Take the gun go forth and shoot a deer bring the venison and lay it on ward the widowfeed her children call yourself her husband (Cooper 458). To take an Indian wife went against Deerslayers beliefs and convictions. Marrying a woman outside his religion and traditions would cause him to compromise his morals and standards. Even though marrying the Indian woman would spare his life he politely objects and refuses their conditions. I feared this, answered Deerslayer,I did dread that it would come to this. He then proceeds to explain to Mingo, I m white, and Christian innate(p) twould ill become me to take a wife, under redskin forms, from among the heathen. That which I wouldnt do in peaceable timestill slight would I do behind clouds, in order to save my life (Cooper 458)