Early American Literature discussion
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The Wept of Wish-Ton-Wish, by James Fenimore Cooper
Emma wrote: "Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "EBEN DUDLEY!! I'm reading it right now and I just met him, Meg!! π€£"Yay!! He's such a character! π€"
Uh oh...π€£"
He's the one who sleeps with a tu..."
You all are rubbing off.... and you all stay up way too late for me. I'm done by 8:30 so I can get up at 3:30. π΄
Al wrote: "You all are rubbing off.... and you all stay up way too late for me. I'm done by 8:30 so I can get up at 3:30. π΄"I hope we don't drive you too crazy, Al! π Wow, that is early. I'm normally up before 6 but if I try to go to bed earlier usually can't get to sleep anyway.
You all are rubbing off.... and you all stay up way too late for me. I'm done by 8:30 so I can get up at 3:30. π΄π³
I just finished chapter 22, which has to be one of my favorites so far! I really enjoyed getting a glimpse of a Puritan sabbath. Cooper's description of the day is lovely as well..."The sun rose bright and cloudless above the hills, every vapor of the past night melting before his genial warmth into the invisible element. The valley then lay in that species of holy calm which conveys so sweet and so forcible an appeal to the heart. The world presented a picture of the glorious handywork of him who seems to invite the gratitude and adoration of his creatures. To the mind yet untainted, there is exquisite loveliness and even godlike repose in such a scene. The universal stillness permits the softest natural sounds to be heard; and the buzz of the bee, or the wing of the humming-bird, reaches the ear like the loud notes of a general anthem. This temporary repose is full of meaning. It should teach how much of the beauty of this world's enjoyments, how much of its peace, and even how much of the comeliness of nature itself, is dependent on the spirit by which we are actuated. When man reposes, all around him seems anxious to contribute to his rest; and when he abandons the contentions of grosser interests, to elevate his spirit, all living things appear to unite in worship. Although this apparent sympathy of nature may be less true than imaginative, its lesson is not destroyed, since it sufficiently shows that what man chooses to consider good in this world is good, and that most of its strife and deformities proceed from his own perversity."
The "stranger" is still a bit of a puzzle to me, as he seems to be to most of the community, although I think I now know who he is. Probably it would be clearer if I knew more about the English Civil War. Chapter 16...(view spoiler)
I completely agree with you about Cooper's prose. When I first started the book, I sped up looking for something to happen, but now I thoroughly enjoy his descriptions of not just natural vistas, but also the inside and outside of the settlement. I think the stranger was involved in the execution of Charles I. When the soldiers came to the settlement looking for him, in the first third, it was clear that those men were supporters of Charles II, and the Puritans still supported Oliver Cromwell. I read a book a few years ago, on one of my deployments, that is probably one of the best about the period; you have it in your To Read list:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Al wrote: "I think the stranger was involved in the execution of Charles I. When the soldiers came to the settlement looking for him, in the first third, it was clear that those men were supporters of Charles II, and the Puritans..."Oh ok, that makes sense! The book about Oliver Cromwell sounds very good. I'll probably want to read this book again after I read that! π
Al was correct, the "stranger" participated in the execution of Charles I. It is clear in chapter 26. I'm beginning to think this is going to have a sad ending...π₯Ί
Meg wrote: "Al was correct, the "stranger" participated in the execution of Charles I. It is clear in chapter 26. I'm beginning to think this is going to have a sad ending...π₯Ί"
Well, yeah, if there's Indians and bears...π³π₯Ίπ€£
Emma wrote: "Well, yeah, if there's Indians and bears...π³π₯Ίπ€£ "Will you just forget about the bears?! ππ€£
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Well, yeah, if there's Indians and bears...π³π₯Ίπ€£ "Will you just forget about the bears?! ππ€£"
π² How?! That's the best part!!! π€£π€£
Emma wrote: "Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Well, yeah, if there's Indians and bears...π³π₯Ίπ€£ "Will you just forget about the bears?! ππ€£"
π² How?! That's the best part!!! π€£π€£"
Well if it really makes the story interesting for you, then fine. π€£
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Well, yeah, if there's Indians and bears...π³π₯Ίπ€£ "Will you just forget about the bears?! ππ€£"
π² How?! That's the best part!!! π€£π€£"
Well if it really makes the ..."
Yeah, you didn't know that I love bears?! π€£π€£
Emma wrote: "Yeah, you didn't know that I love bears?! π€£π€£"I had no idea! π€£
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Yeah, you didn't know that I love bears?! π€£π€£"I had no idea! π€£"
Well...what little you know about me...ππ€£
Where are y'all in the book? I agree that it's not looking like a happy ending. I read somewhere that to Cooper and other authors of the period, a "romantic" story did not necessarily mean happy. π₯Ί
I just finished it this morning! The ending is quite sad, but in kind of a bittersweet way. Come to think of it, I think all of Cooper's novels that I've read so far have more or less bittersweet endings.
Wow, congratulations, Meg! π₯Ίπ
Emma wrote: "Wow, congratulations, Meg! π₯Ίπ"Hop to it! π
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Wow, congratulations, Meg! π₯Ίπ"Hop to it! π"
I am, I am!! π
I've got another 150 pages or so, I'll be done tonight, when I get home from work, or maybe tomorrow, and I'll let y'all know. π Emma, are you plugging along? I don't want to post anything that will spoil the book for you.
GR seems to be having some issues.
Al wrote: "I've got another 150 pages or so, I'll be done tonight, when I get home from work, or maybe tomorrow, and I'll let y'all know. π Emma, are you plugging along? I don't want to post anything that w..."
I'm on chapter 10, so not very far still. I'm enjoying it, just a slow read. π
Okie dokie!! I'll post something this evening, but nothing past chapter 10 or 11 and the bear attack..... π
There was actually a really good piece in Irving's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories' about King Phillip and Canonchet that I found to be very interesting in relation to the second half of this book...although it kinda gave away how it was going to end! πhttp://www.columbia.edu/~lmg21/BC3180...
Al wrote: "Okie dokie!! I'll post something this evening, but nothing past chapter 10 or 11 and the bear attack..... π"π³ Bear attack?! π€£
Emma wrote: "Al wrote: "Okie dokie!! I'll post something this evening, but nothing past chapter 10 or 11 and the bear attack..... π"π³ Bear attack?! π€£"
You started that! I keep thinking, "Did I miss something?!" π€£
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Al wrote: "Okie dokie!! I'll post something this evening, but nothing past chapter 10 or 11 and the bear attack..... π"π³ Bear attack?! π€£"
You started that! I keep thinking, "Did I m..."
Noo! I never said there was a bear attack, I just said they have no concern about bears. They acted like it was fine with them if they just walked into their houses!! π³π€£π€£
Emma wrote: "Noo! I never said there was a bear attack, I just said they have no concern about bears. They acted like it was fine with them if they just walked into their houses!! π³π€£π€£"When did a bear walk into their house?! Now I'm really worried I missed something! π³π€£
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Noo! I never said there was a bear attack, I just said they have no concern about bears. They acted like it was fine with them if they just walked into their houses!! π³π€£π€£"When did a ..."
π€¦π»ββοΈ A bear never walked into their house, they made some mention about having bears, making it appear as if one did walk in, they wouldn't care. π€£π€£
What are you sighing about?! π Am I the only one who read that part?!? π€£
I cannot wait til you read 'The Last of the Mohicans', Emma! There's a hilarious bear part in that! π€£π€£
Emma wrote: "What are you sighing about?! π Am I the only one who read that part?!? π€£"I have to stop teasing....it doesn't seem to go well.π
Meg wrote: "I cannot wait til you read 'The Last of the Mohicans', Emma! There's a hilarious bear part in that! π€£π€£"Well, it's coming up soon! π€£
Al wrote: "Emma wrote: "What are you sighing about?! π Am I the only one who read that part?!? π€£"I have to stop teasing....it doesn't seem to go well.π"
Oh, you were fine. I was just teasing too. π
Meg wrote: "There was actually a really good piece in Irving's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories' about King Phillip and Canonchet that I found to be very interesting in relation to the second hal..."I read "Philip Of Pokanoket: An Indian Memoir" posted above by Meg. I can't help but think that in that piece, Irving must have had access to sources that either don't exist today, or that historians no longer consider; the same with Cooper.
I finished, and to be honest, I wasn't expecting that ending. Based on the way Cooper writes, this book reads like a fictionalized account, rather than historical fiction. Does that make sense? His writing is so vivid in the way he describes, well, everything... which leads me to my comment on Irving, above. Early settlers endured so much to carve out a home in the American wilderness. I read the archeology summary of the 1950's dig at Fort William Henry, where the French and Indians massacred the surrendered column of British soldiers and camp followers in 1757. The analysis done of the skeletons showed how a lifetime of hard labor affected the body and skeletal system, something that would have been known by the characters in the book. What courage.
Al wrote: "I read "Philip Of Pokanoket: An Indian Memoir" posted above by Meg. I can't help but think that in that piece, Irving must have had access to sources that either don't exist today, or that historians...I think I get what you are saying, Al. Both the acknowledgment at the beginning of the book, and the ending, make it seem like this is very closely based on a true story. It's too bad that Cooper's source apparently wished to remain anonymous!
Emma, how are you doing on this??Meg, thanks for inviting me to read this with y'all; it was really good and I enjoyed the back-and-forth!! π
Al wrote: "Emma, how are you doing on this??Meg, thanks for inviting me to read this with y'all; it was really good and I enjoyed the back-and-forth!! π"
Still working on it...I'm trying to read it as fast as I can, it's just such a slow read for me for some reason! π€¦π»ββοΈπ
Oh, I understand!! It was slow for me too in a few places, and then it picked up rather quickly. Do you like Cooper's writing?
I found the historical aspect very interesting, and I also like his prose.
Al wrote: "Oh, I understand!! It was slow for me too in a few places, and then it picked up rather quickly. Do you like Cooper's writing?
I found the historical aspect very interesting, and I also like hi..."
His writing is different...I like it, but I've really had to get used to it. But I think I like it now. π
I'll keep checking in until you finish; let me know if I turn into a nag. :(
Al wrote: "I'll keep checking in until you finish; let me know if I turn into a nag. :("Haha, I don't mind, it helps me remember to keep reading it! π
Al wrote: "Emma, how are you doing on this??Meg, thanks for inviting me to read this with y'all; it was really good and I enjoyed the back-and-forth!! π"
Thank you for joining us, Al! Your insights were very helpful!
Emma wrote: "His writing is different...I like it, but I've really had to get used to it. But I think I like it now. π"You think?! π₯Ίπ
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "His writing is different...I like it, but I've really had to get used to it. But I think I like it now. π"You think?! π₯Ίπ"
π€¦π»ββοΈπ€£ I'm pretty sure!
Oh dear...π³ I officially believe I adore bears...π³π³π³ No longer am I scared of them...π³π€£
Emma wrote: "Oh dear...π³ I officially believe I adore bears...π³π³π³ No longer am I scared of them...π³π€£"Well, that's good to hear! π€£
Meg wrote: "Emma wrote: "Oh dear...π³ I officially believe I adore bears...π³π³π³ No longer am I scared of them...π³π€£"Well, that's good to hear! π€£"
This book...π₯Ίπ₯Ίπ₯Ί
Early American Literature
Books mentioned in this topic
The Wept of Wish-Ton-Wish: An Indian Romance (other topics)The Wept of Wish-Ton-Wish: An Indian Romance (other topics)
The Wept of Wish-Ton-Wish: A Tale (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Harris T. Dunbar (other topics)Harris T. Dunbar (other topics)
James Fenimore Cooper (other topics)
I actually thought this was one of Emma's comments at first and was looking for yours! π"
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