In this novel, Native Americans are illustrated as the definitive representation of manhood, although white men are also considered accurate representations of masculinity once they have acquired heroism. Cooper describes Chingachgook, a Native American, in this imposing image of manhood, "[t]his expanded chest, fully formed limbs, and grave expression of this warrior, would denote that he had reached the vigor of his days, though no symptoms of decadence still seemed to have weakened his virility” (19). Hawkeye, a white man, is also capable of displaying masculine qualities. “The explorer's manners were truly impressive, although they were no longer distinguished by any sign of apprehension unmanly" (54). Cooper's carefully written statements of "a savage of gigantic stature and most ferocious appearance" (60) and "the hardened nerves of the white man" (60) visibly show his opinion on the importance of virility and its superiority over other sexes. Unfortunately, these descriptions become more and more excessive as the reader continues through the novel. This apparent exorbitance of male praise then annoys the reader, who perceives the gender as subtle