Chapter 25 Summary

The next morning, all are in a philosophical mood. Chingachgook assures Deerslayer of his loyalty and that he will not return to the Delawares until he knows what has happened to his friend. The group discusses their views on life after death. This includes a comparison of Christian and native views on Heaven. Judith gives Deerslayer a Killdeer rifle that used to belong to Hutter. Deerslayer and Chingachgook take turns shooting at birds with the rifle.

Chapter 25 Analysis

The discussions of the afterlife make strong comparisons between the ideas about Heaven that exist in different cultures. The Happy Hunting Ground of the Native Americans is put on the same level as Heaven in the Christian worldview. Hetty, because of her mental condition, takes the discussion literally rather than metaphorically and insists that there is only one Heaven.