Fire-water in the frontier romance: James Fenimore Cooper and "Indian nature." (Native Americans and Euro-American Writers)

James Fenimore Cooper's portrayal of the drunken Indian in his historical novels reinforces 19th century stereotype of Native Americans. Cooper's presentation of the effect of drinking on Native Americans reflected common misconceptions about 'Indian nature.' In contrasting savagism and civilization, Cooper implies the moral inferiority of Native Americans and this supports contemporary policy about keeping Native Americans under supervision and away from the debilitating influence of civilization.

There is something painful in the reflection that these people were once numerous, and that by our approach they have been reduced to a few. It is natural that we should feel averse to the ...

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