How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Then that success, which was already so well known, was officially announced; the favored band who were selected to guard the gates of the fort were detailed, and defiled before their chief; the signal of their approach was given, and all the usual preparations for a change of masters were ordered and executed directly under the guns of the contested works. (17.36)
This description of the fort's changeover from the English to the French depicts a well-ordered and civilized process. This sets the reader up for the contrast of the wild and savage bloodbath of the massacre, and supports the notion that the essential divisions in the novel are racial (white v. Native American) rather than national (French v. English).
Quote #8
The flow of blood might be likened to the outbreaking of a torrent; and as the natives became heated and maddened by the sight, many among them even kneeled to the earth, and drank freely, exultingly, hellishly, of the crimson tide. (17.70)
Here the Native Americans are portrayed as bloodthirsty savages—a recurring trend throughout the novel. Although, we would like to write some fanfic where these Native Americans are actually vampires and that's why they vant to drink ze blood, mwahahaha.
Quote #9
"Lord! Lord! That is now a white man's courage!" exclaimed the scout; "and like to many of his notions, not to be maintained by reason." (20.48)
White people are shown to be unreasonable and kind of wimpy, mainly because they have no idea how to survive in the wilderness. The trouble with this pronouncement is, even though it's insulting to white dudes like Heyworth, it underscores the idea of Native Americans as slightly magical and attuned to the earth… which is a historically very destructive stereotype because it implies an inability to survive in modern or urban settings.