The American Hero

The American Hero

Every child has fantasy's of being a super hero and leaping tall buildings in a single bound or staring death in the face everyday and somehow finding a way to escape. All of these imaginative thoughts have been derived from the past literary works by the great writers of the early American literary period. These early writers entered society into a world of action and adventure, where one can see spectacular events unfolding through the eyes of a notorious man of courage and feel as though they are defending there country or saving the woman they love. Though the modern heroes are much more popular than classic American heroes, the modern hero has rooted from these same literary works which once amazed people in the days of old. Because of its popularity, the public pores into movie theaters to see movie-remakes of renown literary works. Natty Bumppo was the first true recognizable American hero. He was looked up to by the masses and is still a popular symbol of the classic hero. Just as Natty Bumppo was the popular hero of his time, Indiana Jones is still the favorite of millions today. Indiana has overshadowed Natty's success but still contains many of his attributes. The characteristics of the American hero are similar in both Indiana Jones and Natty Bumppo.

'An American novelist, travel writer, and social critic, James Fenimore Cooper is regarded as the first great American writer'; (Groliers NP). 'Cooper began writing at age thirty to demonstrate to his wife that he could write a better novel than the one he was reading to her'; (Encarta NP).

'In proving this he soon became one of the most successful writers of his time. He was famed for his action-packed plots and his vivid, if somewhat idealized, portrayal of American life in the forest and at sea. He is most noted for the writings of the Leatherstocking Tales. The Leatherstocking Tales are a series of five novels that constitute an epic of the American wilderness. In these novels, Cooper introduces Natty Bumppo, the central character, who embodies the spirit of the frontier in The Deerslayer, The Prairie, The Last of the Mohicans, The Pathfinder, and The Pioneers." (Groliers)

Over the years Natty Bumppo has been looked up to by many because of his braver... ... middle of paper ...

...nes, the heroes have become more action related and have had less emphasis on plot and story line. Seems the viewers and readers alike demand to see battles and wars which only show violence and the onslaught of evil in there heroic literature and movies. These stories and movies are becoming increasingly popular and, as shown in recent comic books and movies, the future of action literature seems to depict the American hero of the future as only muscles and a thirst for blood.

Natty Bumppo's and Indiana Jones's characteristics are very similar. They both show incredible bravery by coming to the aid of strangers and friends when they are in grave danger. Both characters always have faithful companions who are with them throughout their journey. They always find a way out of danger by conjuring up the most effective plans for the situation at hand and in the end always escapes the villains. The heroes death is never caused by the enemy and the adventure always ends well. Though the future may bring a new breed of heroes to the public, Natty Bumppo and Indiana Jones will always be remembered, by all who may of read of them, as the true American Hereos.