Introduction of Natty Bumppo

This novel introduces Natty Bumppo as "Deerslayer", a young frontiersman in early 18th-century New York.

Contrasts and Philosophy

He is contrasted to other frontiersmen and settlers in the novel who have no compunctions in taking scalps, as his natural philosophy is that every living thing should follow "the gifts" of its nature— which would keep European Americans from taking scalps.