James Fenimore Cooper was a popular author of the 19th century. His most famous works are the Leather Stocking Tales, a series of 5 fiction novels. His novels were widely read in American as well as Europe. Mark Twain, another extremely popular author, had a lot to say about Cooper’s literary style. Twain was extremely critical of Cooper and for all intents and purposes denounced Cooper’s books as garbage. For instance, here is a taste of Twain’s critique:
“I may be mistaken, but it does seem to me that Deerslayer is not a work of art in any sense; it does seem to me that it is destitute of every detail that goes to the making of a work of art; in truth, it seems to me that Deerslayer is just simply a literary delirium tremens.”
In this article, Twain points out the flaws of Cooper’s writing and rhetorically destroys him. But, was this beat-down by Twain justifiable? Was Cooper’s writing as terrible as Twain claimed?
Cooper’s Literary Style
Upon examination of Cooper’s books, it definitely seems like Twain was on to something. Cooper violated many of the rules that make a good novel. His characters were not believable, the dialogue was not believable, the settings were not believable, there was no trace of a plot, he used ornate, flowery language, there was little humor, and no moral message. It is a mystery as to what kept readers turning the page. In particular, Twain points out Cooper’s unbelievable dialogue and his ornate language. In his critique, Twain exaggerates Cooper’s offenses a little, but his general critique is sensible.
Cooper’s Dialogue
Cooper was a master of confusing dialogue. In his novel The Deerslayer (the final book in the leather stocking series) the two main characters, Hurry Harry and Deerslayer have a very strange dialect. One moment the characters will be waxing poetic and the next they are speaking like a true country bumpkin. This often happens within the same paragraph or even within the same sentence. For example, when Deerslayer is asked if he has a sweetheart his grandiose answer is:
“‘She’s in the forest-hanging from the boughs of the trees, in a soft rain—in the dew on the open grass—the clouds that float about in the blue heavens—the birds that sing in the woods—the sweet springs where I slake my thirst—and in all the other glorious gifts that come from God’s Providence!'”
Not long before this poetic remark Deerslayer said this:
“‘If I was Injin born, now, I might tell of this, or carry in the scalp and boast of the expl’ite afore the whole tribe; or if my inimy had only been a bear'” And this: “‘It consarns me as all things that touches a fri’nd consarns a fri’nd.'”
The entire novel is filled with strange dialect transitions like this. In the real world, people don’t speak like a poet for an hour then speak like a hillbilly the next. This type of dialogue makes little sense and makes the characters far less believable. I think Twain was right to point this literary flaw out.
Cooper’s Language
Not only was Cooper a master of confusing dialogue, but he was also a master of ornate, convoluted language. I will let you see for yourself how amazing he was at writing in this way. Try to understand this sentence from The Deerslayer:
“Centuries of summer suns had warmed the tops of the same noble oaks and pines, sending their heats even to the tenacious roots, when voices were heard calling to each other, in the depths of a forest, of which the leafy surface lay bathed in the brilliant light of a cloudless day in June, while the trunks of the trees rose in gloomy grandeur in the shades beneath.”
Can you figure out what Cooper was trying to get across in that sentence? I certainly have no idea. It would be remarkably difficult to write such a convoluted sentence. Cooper loved his ornate language and I think Twain’s criticism is accurate in this regard.
Conclusion
Cooper may have been a popular author, but his literature is far from being great. He violated many rules of good novels and it is a wonder why he was so popular. Twain’s critique may have been exaggerated a little, however he was right that Cooper was not an excellent author. Cooper’s poor dialogue and his ornate, convoluted language were two major flaws that Twain exploited. I side with Twain on this issue; Cooper’s writing was boring nonsense.
Interesting for sure.