r physical beauty. Hetty was once described as having less intellect than ordinary falls to the share of human beings. It was known amongst the lake that Hetty infact was slow and retarded, with a simple yet humble mind. Judith did recognize this weakness and took advantage of it. She had grown up thinking herself not as an equal to Hetty, but as a better person. This is evident through out the story. At one point Judith and the Deerslayer are searching for the wealth hidden in the treasure chest. They search high and low throughout the barge, including through Judiths luxurious possessions when the happen upon Hetty's simple ones. Judith states in a tone of betterment, These are only the clothes of poor Hetty, dear simple girl! she said; nothing we seek would be likely to be there. Judith has become a self-seeking, self-righteous woman, only seeking out things in life that benefited her.The favoritism of Judith over Hetty by their father is constantly seen in the story. Hetty had belongings said to be plain and simple, and of not much value, while Judith possessed items of great worth and pride, belonging only to a woman of such exquisite beauty. Ironically it was Hetty who adored and loved the father who favored her sister over her. At Toms death, he confessed that he was not their real father. With this news Hetty responded with much grief, for she loved this man who had so lovingly protected them and raised them all these years. Judith responded to the news with a pleasing attitude, for her and Tom never shared the love that him and Hetty did, in fact there had never been sufficient intimacy between Tom and his daughter (Judith), which possibly gave her a reason and a defense for her emotions.Hetty did not contain her own identity apart from her sister. Constantly Hetty was masked in the shadows of her older and more beautiful counterpart. One may think that Hetty subliminally recognized her status, and instead of fight...
