One of the most important themes of Hope Leslie is the comparisons between the native and English
cultures. The author uses the events detailed in the Pequod War to create an
atmosphere of discontent between the cultures, and then processed to detail how
the natives and the English have more in common than they know. Both the
Fletcher family and Monotto’s tribe suffer serious losses at the hands of
opposing forces. These two groups are viewed as victims of this seemingly pointless
conflict.
The two heroines of the story,
Magawisca and Hope Leslie draw strong comparisons to each other. Both women
defy the anti-feminist notions of the day to accomplish what they feel to be
the right thing to do. Magawisca defies her father to rescue Everell from
death, while Hope risks her life in order to rescue Nelema from death. In the
time period of the novel, women were supposed to be obedient to their male
superiors; however, both Magawisca and Hope chose to follow their hearts,
rather than submit to the social pressures of the day.
I agree with you in that there are some substantial parallels between the colonists and the Native Americans. However, I think it is important to also note the differences. I think there is a significant contrast between Mononotto and Mr. Winthrop and their ideas of justice. As we mentioned in class, Mr. Winthrop is calm and merciful, and Mononotto leads the same way at the beginning of the book. The irony of this is that their peoples are at war with each other, and yet their leaders are willing to negotiate with each other, at least at first.
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