James Fenimore Cooper, "Pathfinder": a brief summary and main characters

In the modern world of tattooed and uninteresting series of novels about a single hero, you are increasingly returning to classical characters and stories about them: Dumas - The Three Musketeers, Conan Doyle - Sherlock Holmes, Cooper - The Pathfinder. The brief content of each adventure we remember all my life. These are real literary diamonds. After all, how difficult it is equally interesting to write a few stories, keeping the style and theme, keeping the reader and forcing him to return to the first novels of the series for details.

Who does not know Chingachgook

James Fenimore Cooper wrote one of the amazing cycles of stories about the Indians. "Pathfinder, or On the Shores of Ontario" - a logical continuation of previously published novels. The book was published in 1940 and immediately won the hearts of many readers who met their favorite characters again. This brave hunter Nathaniel Bampo and his faithful red-skinned friend Chingachgook are the heroes of the previous two books, "St. John's Wort" and "The Last of the Mohicans."

We are used to being a favorite hero, about which Cooper writes, Pathfinder. The main characters of the third novel are the young and beautiful Mabel Dunchen, the brave seasoned seaman Charles Kep, nicknamed "Salt Water," the young and determined Jasper Western who conquers with simplicity and straightforwardness. In addition, there are two new Indian characters: a warrior Unfaithful Arrow and his young wife June's Dew.

Wonderful nature is the basis of inspiration

The novel takes place in 1759 during a brutal and bloody Franco-Indian war on the shore of Lake Ontario. It was here that the Pathfinder lived and fought; Reviews Cooper has heard repeatedly about the stunning beauty of Indian territory. Especially since in his youth the writer, having dropped his studies at Yale University and enlisted in the military fleet, received his first appointment to these places. Therefore, during the creation of most novels, the lake scene became a decoration for his subjects.

What is Cooper talking about? "Pathfinder", the summary of which, it seems, can be conveyed in several words, is very multifaceted. So, in 1759, the country is engulfed in a bloody war. Not for life, but to death the Indian soldiers fight with the regular French army. Since the fighting is mainly unfolding in the forest, travel in them is extremely unsafe. Even a few miles into the depths of the forest thicket can cost a brave traveler of life.

How it all began

What kind of adventure described in the third novel Cooper? "Pathfinder," whose brief content should begin to retell from the fact that the nineteen-year-old American Mabel Dunchen is eager to get to Lake Ontario, where the fortress is served by her father, reveals the complexity of the relationship between the British, the French and the Indians. In a difficult and dangerous journey, the girl is accompanied by Uncle Charles Kem, an old sailor who earned the nickname "Salt Water" from the Indians. But the forest roads are unexplored, so the Indian couple - a warrior from the Tuscarora tribe Unleashing the Arrow and his wife The June Rose, nicknamed so for its beauty and gentleness - conducts with Mabel and the old sea wolf as guides. Prepared, the detachment sets out on its way ...

Meeting with St. John's Wort

Soon the young hunter smells smoke from the fire. Having ordered the satellites to stop, Undoing the Arrow carefully peers into the thick undergrowth. After a few minutes of observation, he reports to the ward about his thoughts. They boil down to the fact that only a white person could light such a fire . Indians do it differently and more qualitatively in terms of masking the smoke itself. After a small military council, it was decided to send men to explore. However, Mabel opposed this plan, saying that she also wants to take a direct part in the sally. We did not argue for a long time and decided to go together to meet the possible danger. This is what brings us to the first meeting with the old heroes F. Cooper. The ranger does not hide and does not hide - he quietly declares his presence.

Cautiously approaching the source of smoke, the travelers saw a small glade, which served as a place of rest for three men - two whites and one red. Mabel went to get acquainted to avoid unnecessary aggression. No good Christian ever shoots a woman. Of course, men did not even think to grab for weapons. The Indian looked at Mabel with curiosity and returned unperturbed to his meal.

Towards the girl rose a man of about forty, who at first sight liked the girl. Despite the fact that in her dreams she was not at all the ideal warrior, this man possessed such an all-absorbing charisma and openness, such an honest and kind person that he immediately won Mabel's trust. He immediately assured the girl of the full safety of his intentions and introduced himself - St. John's wort (that is, although he named his trilogy Fenimore Cooper "Pathfinder ...").

At the request of my father

Noticing the surprise of the young person, St. John's Wort explained that the Indians gave him the nickname for the ability to recognize the secret signs of nature. But Mabel did not surprise the strange name of this man at all. She remembered her father's letter, which she received shortly before the trip. In it, a veteran sergeant mentioned exactly the person with such a nickname, who, at his request, was to accompany the girl in dangerous forests. And this meeting was held.

St. John's Wort, meanwhile, introduced his companions, they were the Indian chief Chingachgook, nicknamed the Great Serpent and talented sailor Jasper West. Mabel's small detachment, greatly reinforced by three experienced fighters, continued on its way.

Dangerous road

Stunningly picturesque described this adventure Cooper. "Pathfinder", a short retelling of which fits into one sentence, is full of all kinds of surprises. Not once or twice Mabel and his companions risked their lives. They crossed a dangerous river, wandered the forest thickets, bypassing the cunning traps set up by the Indians. And, finally, face to face with the most militant Indian tribe - the Iroquois.

But always to help, of course, came Nathaniel Bampo. That's how the name of St. John's wort was in the world. Thanks to his bold and decisive actions, the knowledge of the neighborhoods Mable with friends was able to get to the English fortress on Lake Ontario.

The novel is a reflection of reality

However, upon arrival in the fortress, our travelers get into even bigger woes. Like all remote military facilities that do not have frequent connections with the outside world, the fortress, or rather its garrison, was prone to squabbling and lack of visible discipline. This is well known F. Cooper: "Pathfinder" narrates about the phenomenon is not rare and arising from idleness of personnel.

It was in such a tangle of passions that Mabel and her companions pleased. Literally from the first hours of Mabel's detachment in the fortress, its commandant suspected Captain West of treason, accusing him of espionage. Old Sergeant Dunham at first doubts the veracity of his boss's words, but gradually changes his mind, beginning to treat the honest sailor with suspicions.

In addition, he is obsessed with the idea of giving a single daughter to marry Nathaniel Bampo. In his opinion, this man can make Mabel happy. She herself does not even suspect about her father's plans. The sergeant in every possible way inspires St. John's thoughts that Mable has some secret and bright feelings towards him. Severe St. John's Wort is initially skeptical about the remarks of an old friend. In his life there were already several fatal women, after meeting with whom Bampo gave himself a vow no longer to let his heart fall in love.

Pathfinder and women

A complex relationship with women, Deerslayer described in the first novels Cooper. The pathfinder, whose short story of love stories can be conveyed by the word "unfortunate," prefers to remain free and unmarried. In previous stories, it is about the attachment to him of Judith Harter - the daughter of Floating Tom; And about the young Alice Monroe, who also had a carelessness to burn with feelings towards the iron St. John's wort. Then Nathaniel resisted. I preferred happiness with women to a free life in nature with true friends.

But whether the impact of Dunham was very serious, or simply tired of loneliness, St. John's wort, after all, falls in love with Mabel. Having gained courage and having weighed his impressive chances, he seems to open a young lady in his feelings and offers her a hand and heart. Mabel's rejection was a serious blow to the vanity of a forty-year-old hunter. This is how James Cooper's love story was conceived. The ranger was immensely surprised when Mabel's affection turned out to be a sincere friendly disposition.

The French are not asleep

Meanwhile, in the fortress absolutely bad deeds begin to happen. Stripping the Arrow, the same Indian who accompanied Mabel to his father, turned out to be an old French spy. His mission was to penetrate the territory of the fortress and the subsequent report on the strength and strength of its garrison to its masters.

On the one hand, this exposure removed suspicion from Captain Western. But on the other - the inhabitants of the fortress realized that the enemy is not slumbering and ready to attack. Soon the fortress was subjected to a powerful attack by the French allies, which was repulsed by the courage of St. John's wort and its companions.

Promise given to the father

Unfortunately, the battle was the last for the old sergeant Dunham, who was fatally wounded. Dying in the arms of his daughter, he makes a promise from her - to marry only Nathaniel Bampo. Heartbroken Mabel swears to fulfill the last will of the old warrior. St. John's wort is glad to accept the girl's consent to become his wife. Gradually, he realizes that Mabel is compelled to do this. Upon learning of the oath, Nathaniel releases the young lady from her. After all, he is a free hunter, and all manifestations of slavery for him are unacceptable.

In addition, the Ranger has more than once seen the views that Captain Western and the young Mabel exchanged. This finally convinced the hunter of the correctness of his actions. Already married to the captain, Mabel feels a slight sadness. She understands that St. John's Wort loves her for real, but because of her decency she will try not to meet her any more.