Cooper: The Fair and the Fickle

James Fenimore Cooper’s treatment of white and red gifts undoubtedly holds a bias that closely reflects the “white man’s burden.” The white man’s burden consists of whites teaching lesser races the benefits of civilization and morality over savagery. For example, in Cooper’s “Notion of the Americans,” the Indians are a lazy, “stunted, dirty, and degraded race.” For this reason, whites set up reservations and give the Indians an education. They also pay for land that “[the Indians] did not want, nor could they use.” The Indians are overall a lazy bunch, while the whites are fair and just; they not only pay fairly for the land but also give more than they need to (i.e. and education and technological civilization). The perfect example of this is found in the story of the peacock feather. And while some Indians are sometimes given the gifts of honesty and gratefulness, Cooper mentions, “he is well known to be as eminently grateful as he is vindictive.” Indians are fickle characters known for their trickery and deceit; they are not to be trusted.

Deerslayer understands the fickle ways of the Indian in chapter seven of The Deerslayer. An Indian attempts to shoot him after they had agreed to go their own ways, as compared to earlier when Deerslayer had decided that he would not shoot the Indian while he had his back turned. After Deerslayer mortally shoots the Indian he still gives him water and does not scalp him. Deerslayer’s gifts are merciful but just, therefore showing his (and white’s) superiority over the Indian race’s fickleness.

White Gifts, Red Gifts, Relationships, and Misunderstandings

Cooper's writings on Indians and the chapter 7 from Deerslayer present fascinating incites about the relationships between white men and Indians. Through both works, Cooper also expresses the separate cultures themselves by the gifts that they give to one another: White gifts and Red Gifts. In Cooper's Notions of the Americans: The Indians, a gift of "peacock feathers" is presented to the Indian Peterlasharroo. The gift is regarded nicely from Peterlasharroo. I find that this gift of feathers presents the white man's interpretation of the Indian. This gift, which is not much more than pretty feathers to white men is considered a "brilliant" to red men. It may be my own speculation (and i understand that the gift was valuable to the Indians), but I smell exploitation, which was a very abundant aspect of the white and red man relationship.

In The Deerslayer, we are shown that the gifts of white men also come in the form of forgiveness, humility, fairness, and respect. Deerslayer attempts to settle his dispute with the Indian with common kindness (you go your way, I will go mine). Unfortunately, this gift of respect is not returned by the Indian who gives the gift of trickery, deceit, and a tomahawk. The Indian is the weaker man here (and in most relationships with the white man), his use of cunning is perhaps both his most powerful and damnable gift (although he fails in his trickery). It would appear that neither side has a strong grasp of each others gifts. The Indian recognizes the white man's gift of "go your own way" as simply an opportunity, while Deerslayer feels morally bound to respect and his word. However, the white man will surely come to recognize the success of guerrilla warfare.

WHITE GIFTS AND RED GIFTS!!!?? WHAT!!

This week’s reading brought us to discuss the difference between white gifts and red gifts. When asked the difference, I did not have a clue what it was and at first glance I did not understand the question. But as we discussed the topic in class, I think I figured it out. White gifts are gifts of personality that whites think they have and red gifts are gifts of personality that whites think the Indians have. The definition of white gifts and red gifts are of pure opinion derived by the whites, therefore the white gifts are seen as the best ones. White gifts are of much more value and prestige than red gifts are. Traits that are of fairness, honor, integrity, trustworthiness, and mercy are all white gifts. These gifts are the complete opposite of red gifts. Red gifts are traits such as sneakiness, dishonesty, cruelty, and a thieving mindset. The red gifts or of no value and are looked down upon by the white man. The white gifts are all qualities that each person would love to possess, but not everyone does according to the white man. It seems that only whites are able to possess and even give these gifts. This is what seems to be the intention of Deerslayer, of whom is the character in The Deerslayer written by James Fenimore Cooper. Chapter five of this book helps to bring to light white gifts and red gifts.
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James Fenimore Cooper Blog Question

There are two readings for Cooper. One is his essay on Indians and the other is Chapter VII on Deerslayer. Read them both and post a comment on the difference between white gifts and red ones--Deerslayer's gifts and Indian gifts. Think of what Cooper means by gifts.

Cooper Post

Please read the selection, Cooper on Indians and Chapter VII of THE DEERSLAYER. Write a blog of 200-250 words on the relationship between whites and Indians in Cooper. Pictures or links are always welcome