Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses

1) Mark Twain is a believer in realism and accusing Cooper of using very little realism. First he states that dialog should be written in formal conversation. He also brings up the fact that if characters have miracles and possibilities they have to be possible and reasonable. He feels that the writer should make the reader like the good people and hate the bad people but Cooper makes them hate both. Using simple and straightforward style is another aspect of realism that Cooper does not follow.

2) I learned that even though Cooper wrote many books he was still not the most experienced writer and did not follow many of the rules governing literary art. He did not put a lot of research into his books making them less realistic and inaccurate. It also seemed as if he did not put a lot of thought into his writings and just wrote what he thought would make sense. He also seemed to have the problem of repeating himself and using the same ideas through out his many books. His story outlines never really flowed, accomplished anything, and arrived no where. All of these conclusions come from the point of Mark Twain so it is hard to say if many of these are true but it is very likely.

3) This essay influences my understanding of Huckleberry Finn by letting me know that it is very realistic and reliable because Twain followed the rules of governing literary art. It also helps me know he put much thought into this book and wanted to make it as real as possible. It informs me that all of the characters in the story have a purpose are there for a reason. He also talks in great detail and this essay let me know that his story development is well put together. Having Twain write this essay helps us know that he knew what he was doing and wanted to help us understand his writings.