The Lake Gun E-Book

James Fenimore Cooper

• Herausgeber: Booksell-Verlag
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2019

Beschreibung

In "The Lake Gun," James Fenimore Cooper weaves a compelling narrative focused on themes of morality, nature, and the complex relationship between humanity and wilderness. Set against the backdrop of the untamed American frontier, the novella employs Cooper's hallmark romanticism, rich descriptions, and a keen eye for the nuances of human character, inviting readers to contemplate the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals in the face of temptation and avarice. Through the lens of his meticulous prose, Cooper explores the consequences of man's interaction with the environment, contributing to the broader literary context of 19th-century American literature concerned with identity and the sublime. James Fenimore Cooper, a pioneer of American literature, drew inspiration from his experiences in early America, where he witnessed the tensions between civilization and the uncultivated land. His background as a naval officer and his deep appreciation for the natural landscape profoundly influenced his storytelling, enabling him to depict the struggle of individuals against external forces with authenticity. "The Lake Gun" reflects Cooper's continual engagement with themes of frontier life and the moral complexities that arise when human desires clash with natural laws. With its engaging narrative and thoughtful exploration of ethical conduct, "The Lake Gun" is a must-read for anyone interested in classic American literature. Cooper's adept storytelling and reflections on human behavior invite readers to reflect on their own moral choices, making this novella not only a work of art but also a timeless cautionary tale. This book is ideal for students of literature or anyone longing to understand the foundations of American identity through the lens of nature and morality.

Leseprobe

James Fenimore Cooper

The Lake Gun

Published by Good Press, 2019

[email protected]

EAN 4057664655097

Table of Contents

The Lake Gun

by

James Fenimore Cooper

{This text has been transcribed and annotated by Hugh C. MacDougall, Founder and Secretary of the James Fenimore Cooper Society ([email protected]), who welcomes corrections and emendations. The text has been transcribed as written, except that because of the limitations of the Gutenberg Project format, italicized words have been transcribed in FULL CAPITALS.}

{"The Lake Gun" is one of James Fenimore Cooper's very few short stories, and was written in the last year of his life. It was commissioned by George E. Wood for publication in a volume of miscellaneous stories and poems called "The Parthenon" (New York: George E. Wood, 1850), and Cooper received $100 for it. The story was reprinted a few years later in a similar volume called "Specimens of American Literature" (New York, 1866). It was published in book form in 1932 in a slipcased edition limited to 450 copies (New York: William Farquhar Payson, 1932) with an introduction by Robert F. Spiller.}

{Introductory Note: The "Lake Gun," though based on folklore about Seneca Lake in Central New York State (the "Wandering Jew" and the "Lake Gun"), and on a supposed Seneca Indian legend, is in fact political satire commenting on American political demagogues in general, and in particular on the then (1850) Whig Senator from New York State, William Henry Seward (1801–1872), who had served as Governor of New York (1838–1842) and would later become Secretary of State (1861–1869) under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson. By 1850 Cooper feared that unscrupulous political extremists, mobilizing public opinion behind causes such as abolitionism, were leading America towards a disastrous Civil War. Cooper probably obtained his local lore about Seneca Lake while visiting his son Paul, who attended Geneva College (now Hobart College) on Lake Seneca from 1840–1844.}

The Lake Gun

Table of Contents

by

Table of Contents

James Fenimore Cooper

Table of Contents