Meaning: The quote you provided is from Leslie Fiedler, a renowned literary critic, and it pertains to a novel written by James Fenimore Cooper. In this quote, Fiedler is expressing his admiration for Cooper's ability to write a novel that is so convincingly similar to the works of Jane Austen, an iconic English author, despite being an American author himself. Fiedler is particularly impressed by the fact that Cooper was able to capture a female perspective and the English setting seamlessly, without any indication of his American origins.

James Fenimore Cooper was an American writer known for his historical romances, particularly his "Leatherstocking Tales" series, which includes the famous novel "The Last of the Mohicans." Jane Austen, on the other hand, was an English novelist whose works, including "Pride and Prejudice," "Sense and Sensibility," and "Emma," are celebrated for their keen observations of English society, particularly from a female perspective.

Fiedler's statement is significant because it highlights Cooper's skill in adopting a style and perspective that are markedly different from his own background. His ability to write in a manner that is "indistinguishable from Austen" speaks to his talent for capturing the nuances of English society and the female experience, despite not being English himself.

The fact that Fiedler emphasizes the absence of any sense that Cooper was an American in the novel is noteworthy. It suggests that Cooper was able to fully immerse himself in the English setting and the female point of view, to the extent that his own cultural and national identity did not seep into the narrative. This is a testament to Cooper's capacity for empathy and understanding, as well as his skill in crafting a narrative that transcends national boundaries.

Fiedler's quote also raises interesting questions about the nature of literary imitation and cultural influence. It prompts us to consider the ways in which authors can adopt and adapt different styles, perspectives, and cultural contexts in their writing. Cooper's ability to convincingly inhabit an English, female perspective challenges conventional notions of national and gendered literary boundaries, demonstrating the fluidity and adaptability of literary expression.

Moreover, Fiedler's praise for Cooper's achievement underscores the universality of certain themes and experiences in literature. Despite being an American author writing from a female English perspective, Cooper was able to tap into the common threads of human experience that resonate across cultures and time periods. This speaks to the enduring power of literature to transcend cultural and national divides, and to connect readers through shared emotions, experiences, and insights.

In conclusion, Leslie Fiedler's quote about James Fenimore Cooper's ability to write a novel indistinguishable from Jane Austen's work, despite being an American author, illuminates the complexities of literary influence, cultural adaptation, and the universal themes of human experience in literature. Cooper's achievement in capturing a female English perspective without any discernible trace of his own American identity speaks to the malleability of literary expression and the capacity for literature to bridge cultural and national boundaries.