The Pioneers

“He soon found hearers and, as wealth and comfort are at all times attractive, it was, as has been said, made a model for imitation on a small scale. In less than two years from its erection, he had the pleasure of standing on the elevated platform, and of looking down on three humble imitators of its beauty.” 

Here we see an example of Richard’s misplaced confidence in his own skills despite his demonstrable lack of talent. Similarly, we also see the groupthink of the settlers, who follow Temple’s wealth rather than make their own decisions. Despite Richard accidentally making the Mansion House quite ugly, the prominent settlers of Templeton want to emulate the Judge and so his design becomes fashionable and several similar homes are erected. 

“Nothing could be fairer and more spotless than the forehead of Elizabeth, and preserve the appearance of life and health. Her nose would have been called Grecian, but for a softly rounded swell, that gave in character to the feature what it lost in beauty. Her mouth, at first sight, seemed only made for love; but, the instant that its muscles moved, every expression that womanly dignity could utter played around it with the flexibility of female grace.” 

Remarkable Pettibone watches with jealousy as the exceptionally beautiful Elizabeth removes her winter clothes once inside. Here we see that Cooper’s idea of female beauty is very stereotypical for the time, and the reader can expect he will use his female characters as simply damsels in distress, unable to fend for themselves without male protection, either by law or by force.

“In short he was rearing, on this foundation of sand, a superstructure, cemented by practice, though composed of somewhat brittle materials. He however occasionally renewed his elementary studies, and, with the observation of a shrewd mind, was comfortably applying his practice to his theory.” 

This quote describes Templeton’s doctor, Elnathan Todd. Although the town respects him, Cooper reveals that Dr. Todd has no formal medical training and is a fraud. Dr. Todd learns by doing—by practicing and hoping for the best. This makes Temple’s formalism seem easily skewered and calls white social mores into question.