How does Twain shape or refine the theme of this essay?
Twain refines his theme by emphasizing Cooper’s repeated use of the broken twig, which shows how Cooper used small details as key turning points in the story.
Twain includes the description of Bumppo and the cannonball to illustrate how Cooper uses tall tales and legends to make his stories come alive.
Twain believes Cooper is a successful writer because of his accurate portrayals of women in the wilderness, and he provides specific examples from Cooper’s work to prove his point.
To refine his theme, Twain describes various ways that Cooper’s tales are illogical or unrealistic, such as the footprints that are not washed away by a stream.
