THE SONS OF LEATHERSTOCKING

Charley Alrizka Anggarani (2000026008)

Dicky Arya Ahmad Ramadhan (2000026011)
Julio Gilang Fernanda (2000026018)
Assyfa Cendana (2000026028)
Riris Risky Winanti (2000026030)
Andhika Rizky Ramadhani Yoga Pratama (2000026045)
Khalimurrauf Fadlian Anwar (2000026039)
Rizky Haryo Dewanto (2000026117)
 Chapter V
Daniel Boone: Empire Builder or Philosopher of Primitivism?
In 1842, Francis Parkman traveled and found people in New York and New England rough, but he
liked the wilderness and people there. He loved the Wild West and its freedom but didn't like
civilization's progress.
People saw Daniel Boone, a famous frontiersman, in different ways. Some thought he was a hero
of civilization, while others saw him as someone running away from it. Even in fiction, Boone had
different roles, sometimes a symbol of primitivism and sometimes representing individualism.
These portrayals show how myths and heroes change over time. Daniel Boone became a symbol
for different generations, reflecting their ideas about the American frontier and society's changes.
 Chapter VI
Leatherstocking and the Problem of Social Order
James Fenimore Cooper, one of America's earliest and most prolific novelists, is renowned for his
portrayal of the American frontier and its complex characters.
James Fenimore Cooper's creation of Leatherstocking represents a nuanced exploration of
American identity, wilderness, and societal norms.
The evolution of Leatherstocking, from his inception as a venerable figure to his various
incarnations as a younger hero, reflects Cooper's ongoing struggle to reconcile the character's
attributes with the expectations of a romantic hero.
In the end, Leatherstocking remains a powerful and enduring symbol of the American experience
of adventure across the continent, embodying the nation's conflicted relationship with the
wilderness and the inexorable march of progress.
 Chapter VII
The Innocence and Wildness of Nature: Charles W. Webber an
d Others
The concept of the Wild Western hero and the importance of nature in shaping their character. It
highlights Leatherstocking's connection to nature and the idea that untouched nature represents
strength, truth, and virtue. Thomas J. Farnham's interview with a fictitious Indian underscores the
negative impact of civilization on nature. Charles W. Webber, influenced by his time in Texas,
wrote about the Wild West, emphasizing the intuitive ethics of the wilderness and the contrast with
urban society's bigotry. Webber's work, especially "Old Hicks, the Guide," explores themes of
conflict between natural and civilized life. Despite some criticism, his ideas contributed to the
development of Western literature. Thoreau and Melville also had differing views on the Wild
West, with Melville seeing it as both magnificent and terrible.
 Chapter VIII
The Mountain Man as Western Hero: Kit Carson
In the early 19th century, Wild Western heroes, inspired by James Fenimore Cooper's
Leatherstocking, symbolized anarchic freedom and escape from civilization's constraints.
Mountain Men, central figures in the Rocky Mountain fur trade, adopted Indian ways and a savage
aspect. Authors like Charles Sealsfield saw them as embracing wild freedom as a necessity,
developing warlike skills and a hatred for mankind. As they moved west, these heroes assimilated
to Indian customs, emphasizing their absolute freedom. Kit Carson, a famous Mountain Man,
gained fame through narratives but faced idealized portrayals. Later, adventure stories depicted
him as a rugged and fearless Western hero, laying the foundation for the Wild Western story genre.
 Chapter IX
The Western Hero in the Dime Novel
Erastus Beadle, a Buffalo publisher, introduced "Dime Novels" in 1860, revolutionizing American
publishing. These short, thrilling stories, including Edward S. Ellis' "Seth Jones," sold millions and
created a new fiction market. Beadle, along with his editor Orville J. Victor, perfected formulas for
rapid production. Authors like Prentiss Ingraham and Edward Z. C. Judson contributed to Buffalo
Bill's myth, blending fact and fiction, shaping the Wild West's image, and influencing popular
culture. The Wild West Show, Cody's creation, further fueled these myths and left a lasting legacy
on American culture and history, even as scholars work to deconstruct them.
 Chapter X
The Dime Novel Heroine
In the 19th century, female heroes in Western novels evolved, challenging traditional gender roles.
Characters like Eulalie, Aneola, and Mountain Kate displayed courage and independence,
reflecting shifting social norms. Some narratives explored female outlaws openly and introduced
physical expressions of romantic connections. Calamity Jane, a multifaceted character, exemplified
this transformation, from a refined lady to a boisterous Wild West figure. Western literature also
underwent changes, with heroes becoming self-reliant and detective-like, and the genre losing its
social significance and becoming more formulaic and juvenile by the late 19th century. Dime
novels and publications like Buffalo Bill stories continued the Western tradition.