Discussion post 2: Hunting and The Need for Food

From the moment Natty is introduced to us, we know that his independence is stronger than any other character in the book.  He can navigate, travel, hunt, and live on his own, and without a fear or care in the world.  However, in chapter 24, it becomes more prominent, especially to the other characters in the book. 

            Chapters 21 through 27 focus primarily on hunting game and the need for food.  Now that the winter is over and spring has begun, the characters in the book have become obsessed with killing as many animals as possible, in order to feed their families.  On page 245, it is stated that, “Every species of firearms, from the French ducking gun with a barrel near six feet in length, to the common horseman’s pistol, was to be seen in the hands of the men and boys” (Cooper).  It was more unusual for a male to not hold possession of some sort of gun.  While hunting was more as a necessity during this time period, the men and boys of Templeton saw it more as a game.  Richard, Ben Pump, and other Templeton officials fire their guns without a particular strategy and gawk at the thousands of dead pigeons at their feet; they couldn’t love it more. 

            While they couldn’t get enough of the killing, Natty is appalled by what he sees.  He thinks it is completely dishonorable for the men to behaving in such a way.  Natty does not see hunting as a game.  Instead, Natty kills only what he needs, and he can do it in a single shot, so as to not waste gun powder and to spare the pain of the animal.  Natty scolds Richard for his savage-like behavior by stating, “I call it sinful and wasty to catch more than you can eat” (Cooper 268).  He sees madness in their tactics because they have no rule to their ways (Cooper 268).  The Judge tries to agree with Natty, but Leatherstocking will not have it.  He would rather die than compare himself with the Judge because he sees himself as much more of an honorable man. 

            I find it truly interesting that Natty’s softer side shows through within these few chapters.  His treatment of hunting and killing proves that he is less of a savage than Richard makes him out to be.  While he may be of Indian descent, he is a good man who treats the land and his home right.  He does not take the animals for granted.  Richard, along with Ben Pump and the other men of Templeton, prove to be the true savages because they are reckless, careless, and ignorant.