Despite the fact that the work itself is not too large and read in one breath, sometimes it becomes necessary to get acquainted with the contents of the novel “St. John's Wort” in just half an hour. Summary in this situation is the best option. So, let's begin!
What is worth knowing about the author?
Before you begin to study this work, you should find out who James Fenimore Cooper is. “St. John's wort,” a summary of which will now be considered, is one of the many novels of this outstanding creator. Of course, in order to create such informative books, you yourself need to be at least a smart and educated person.
That was exactly what Cooper was, who, as the son of a judge, graduated from school successfully enough to enroll at Yale University. True, the thirst for adventure, which was so characteristic of the heroes of the novel, was not alien to the writer himself. Perhaps that is why he did not finish his studies at Yale. Instead, Cooper went to serve in the Navy. Well, thanks in large part to this, we can read today stunningly realistic descriptions of the nature of Lake Ontario.
And James began to write ... under the influence of chance! More precisely, his wife, Delana. It was her husband who read aloud to her when he noticed that he could write no worse, and this would not cause difficulties at all. The wife drew attention to a passing statement, so Cooper had to prove his words by deeds. Which he did when he wrote the novel Caution.
The author worked from 1820 to 1851, until he was crippled by cirrhosis of the liver. In 1841, James F. Cooper wrote The St. John's Wort, a summary of which only partially introduces the reader to the characters and events. It should be noted that this work in the expanses of the USSR gained surprising popularity, many were read to it. But it was filmed only in 1990.
James Fenimore Cooper, St. John's Wort: Summary
To begin with, it is worth saying that this book is part of the pentalogy, which can be considered a kind of manual on the history of the colonization of North America and the customs of the Indians, as well as their interaction with Europeans. This may be a very brief summary. St. John's Wort is essentially a novel that helps to understand that very different people can be friends. And love, fidelity to the word and the ability to overcome obstacles are just what is fundamental in life.
The story begins with the fact that two guys, Harry March and Natty Bambo (it was he who responded to the name St. John's Wort), emerge from the forest thickets. In front of them they see a lake that is striking in its beauty. The goal of the young people is the home of Tom Hatter, whose daughter March is in love with. The girl (Judith), however, does not reciprocate.
Due to the outbreak of military conflict between the French and the British, Thomas, along with March and Bambo, take the ark to a safe place, which can be taken over by the Mingo Indians (they tend to sympathize with the French). Also, three men clean two pies away from the eyes. But then Hatter and March got the idea of attacking a camp in which only women remained at that time. They understand that Bambo will not agree to this, so they are making every effort to send him away.
The novel "St. John's Wort", the brief content of which we are studying, continues with the fact that the unflattering plan of the attack ends with the captivity of Thomas and Harry. Bambo cannot stay away. He goes on reconnaissance, during which he has to kill an Indian. Before his death, he gives the guy another nickname - Hawkeye (for well-aimed shooting).
Meeting with Chingachguk
To rescue Hatter and March from captivity, St. John’s Wort consults Chingachgook, who is located in these places, trying to regain his bride, Wa-ta-Wa. Foresighted and experienced, he says that the best solution is to buy men. Thomas’s daughters do not hesitate to agree, because life is the most valuable thing, and the outfits and chess, for which they ultimately exchange prisoners, are little things that you can safely donate.
How was St. John's Wort captured and what followed?
Having freed his friends, the guy undertakes to help Chingachguk, who cannot leave without his beloved. But in the process of liberating the girl, the brave Hawkeye is captured, allowing Chingachguk and Wa-ta-Wa to leave.
It is not surprising that March and Hutter are not too keen on taking risks and rescuing from St. John's Wort. But here, from an unexpected side, Judith shows herself, who was imbued with genuine sympathy for the guy.
Cooper talks in more detail about what happens next. St. John's Wort, the brief content of which you are reading, cannot convey the tragedy of the events that happened in the “castle”, in which Hatter and March decide to return. An ambush awaits them here. And if a strong and young March manages to break free, then Thomas dies in an unequal battle, the scalp is removed from him. True, before dying, he, having gathered his last strength, tells his daughters that he does not have a father.
St. John's wort
The Indians decide that Hawkeye can be useful, and send him to negotiate with those who are in the "ark." Only that which he must achieve is obviously impracticable, and this is clear to everyone. In this case, the young man must go back, regardless of how successful the negotiations will be. Judith, who is not indifferent to Bambo, tries to dissuade him, but he refuses the girl's requests. For St. John's wort, the word is more important than what he feels, what he wants.
And then the book "St. John's wort", the brief content of which we are studying, tells us that the Hurons who sent him as a parliamentarian are impressed by his human qualities. As a sign of respect, the guy is offered to marry the widow of the Indian whom he killed. But when you consider that the woman was very vicious, and even had many children, such a proposal St. John's Wort, to put it mildly, did not like it.
In connection with the refusal of marriage, the brother of the potential wife was angry at him. And in anger he launched a tomahawk in Bambo. The guy dodged the weapon, but threw it back. The result was the death of an Indian. This overflows the patience of the Hurons. They decide to break the intractable guy by all means.
Interchange: J.F. Cooper, St. John's Wort
The summary should be supplemented by the following. The Indians decided to make fun of Hawkeye in plenty. To do this, he was tied to a tree and began to practice accuracy. The guy was shot so as not to inflict fatal wounds, but at the same time enjoy his fear.
A brave young man did not give them such an opportunity. He did not even close his eyes, seeing the shooting aimed at him. He didn't seem to care.
In a rage, the Indians make a fire. And here comes to the rescue Hattie, sister Judith, who is considered not quite adequate. She scatters already taken wood.
And then Chingachguk suddenly appears from the thicket, which frees St. John's Wort, gives him weapons. But the battle is initially unequal, if not for one “but”. Soldiers appear. Their goal is the Hurons. Almost the entire tribe is dying. Only in battle does Hattie get wounded. Despite the help of the doctor, she is dying. Before death, the girl says a strange phrase that leaves Hypericum is not forever.
Explanation: Refusal of Love
And then comes the explanation of Hawkeye and Judith. She, having gathered strength, says that she would like to become the wife of St. John's Wort. But he responds with a refusal, motivating him with the fact that marriage cannot be happy without mutual love. Did he say everything?
It turns out that "St. John's Wort" is a book, the brief content of which can only become an incentive to sign-hunting with the full version.
Features of the work
In the novel "St. John's Wort", a brief summary allows you to catch the main thing - the values that the author wanted to convey to the reader. In addition, it is in this novel that the veil of secrecy is opened over why St. John's Wort became the same as we see it in Cooper's other works, and this is very important.
It is also very interesting how the line of love develops. Why did the hunter abandon the girl who was so clearly sympathetic to him and was truly beautiful? Maybe each of the readers will form an opinion about this?
Screen version: what is it?
During the filming of the Soviet film "St. John's Wort", the summary was taken as a basis, but much was, of course, discarded, and something was added to better emphasize the spirit of adventure and convey the atmosphere of those times, which are discussed in the film and the book . Also, many viewers noted that the actors were selected just perfectly, they embodied exactly those images that were presented during the reading of the book.
At the same time, the film, like the book, is quite simple, it does not have graphics, special effects. But there is something much more important - the ability to affect the soul. And encourage a person to become a little better! And also - to think about whether external beauty is so important, or, nevertheless, actions, spiritual qualities are more important.
Instead of a conclusion
This is what the summary of the story “St. John's Wort” looks like (although it’s more correct, of course, to call it a novel). To some extent, this concise retelling will help to understand what the work is about. It will be especially useful when there is no time to read the full version, but it is necessary to be, as they say, in the subject! But it is better, of course, to find the time and read the novel “St. John's Wort”. The summary does not allow us to understand the charm of this masterpiece of literature.
Well, you might want to read this and other books of the author, who has been popular all over the world for many years. This is the right choice.