Verified Document

Last Of The Mohicans Term Paper

¶ … Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper. The paper will especially focus on the role of women and how they were treated in those days and their contribution in warfare as depicted in The Last of the Mohicans as compared to nowadays. The Last of the Mohicans

The Last of the Mohicans takes place in the midst of the French-Indian war. It focuses on one battle in a war that lasted for many years. This was the last and most important conflict over French and British possessions in North America. Unlike the earlier wars, which began in Europe and spread to America, this struggle broke out solely in America in 1754, and was not settled until 1763.

This book depicts the battle of Fort William Henry and adds the fictional kidnapping of two sisters Cora and Alice who are also the main female characters of this book. It is an account of two opposing tribes; the Delawares and the Hurons. The Hurons (Magua's tribe) are depicted as an extension of Magua himself. They are ambitious to take down the foresters, thereby avenging the warriors they have lost. The Delawares on the other hand, are the descendents of the Mohicans. They are more peaceful and considerate than the Huron.

Another major character is the colonial scout Hawkeye who is the main protagonist of the novel. He is a white man who has spent most of his life in the company of the Mohicans and who, with his two Indian companions Chingachgook and his son Uncas, stumble on a party of British soldiers who have taken the responsibility of taking Cora and Alice to their father, the commander of British Fort William Henry.

This party is led by a Huron scout, Magua. However, to Hawkeye, Magua seems an unreliable leader and indeed, Hawkeye's judgment is soon proved right as Magua treacherously betrays the girls...

Magua is thus the antagonist of the novel. His evil nature exists in stark contrast to the goodness of the Mohicans. He is a villain because of the misfortunes he has suffered at the hands of European conquerors. The distrust that Hawkeye and the Mohicans feel for Magua from the start sets up what will be the central conflict in the book, more so than the French-Indian war: the clashing between tribes of the Delaware and tribes of the Huron.
The depiction of the two sisters Cora and Alice provides valuable insight into race issues surrounding multiracial people in those days and also highlights the role of women as seen in that time. Cora is the elder sister and is a voice of reason and strength. As a woman who has mixed blood, and is coveted by both Uncas and Magua, she becomes a symbol of cultural meetings, as well as a symbol of European pride. By far she is one of the most admirable characters, with a mothering, selfless nature that cares only to keep her sister safe. Alice is the younger sister who loves and respects Cora tremendously. Alice is the typical maiden, light-hearted and weak, prone to fainting and crying. It is Cora, who makes real contributions to the welfare of the group as we later see throughout the book.

One must note how the author has depicted the role of women in those days through the two characters of Cora and Alice. He portrays the character of Alice as the anti-Indian. Not only is she a soft woman, but also she has golden hair, light eyes, and a chattering personality. She is everything that an Indian should not be. In this way she contrasts strongly with her dark-haired, less bubbly sister. The author uses Cora to blur the lines between Europeans and Indians. She speaks much more seldom than Alice does but when…

Sources used in this document:
References

Cooper, James Fenimore, The Last of the Mohicans [1826]. New York: The New American Library, Inc., 1980.

Edwards, Nicole World War II volunteers paved way for today's female troops, Poughkeepsie Journal

http://www.indiancountry.com/article/2565

Cooper, James Fenimore, The Last of the Mohicans [1826]. New York: The New American Library, Inc., 1980.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Last of the Mohicians James Fennimore Cooper's
Words: 1162 Length: 3 Document Type: Book Review

Last of the Mohicians James Fennimore Cooper's The Last of The Mohicans was published in 1826, part of a pentology, but the best known work for contemporary readers. The story takes place in 1757 during the French and Indian War, when France and Great Britain were at odds for dominance of the North American Colonies. During this war, the French made treaties and allied themselves with many Native American tribes to

Last of the Mohicans, James Fenimore Cooper
Words: 1170 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Last of the Mohicans, James Fenimore Cooper utilizes a historical romance style to tell his story. is apparent through settings, characters and plots. As Cooper is considered by many critics to be the father of the American historical romance, The Last of the Mohicans is surely an example of why this is so. Cooper celebrated the creative spirit of the individual and had a deep appreciation for nature. He was

Last of the Mohicans James Fennimore Cooper
Words: 1446 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

Last of the Mohicans has been adapted to cinematic versions many times before, which speaks volumes about the enduring popularity of the book. There is something about the novel that continues to attract modern directors and thus we have so far been given four different cinematic versions of the book, the latest being a directorial piece of Michael Mann who has films like Miami Vice to his credit. This version

Last of the Mohicans What
Words: 531 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

6.What Arts aspects were seen in this film? The design of the various clothing worn by the French army, the British army, the Hurons, and Hawkeye -- as well as the female characters of the film -- showed the differing aesthetic values that these different cultures had. 7.What Technological aspects were seen in this film? The technology demonstrated in the film was almost entirely militaristic in nature. From the British rocket flare to

Last of the Mohicans James Fennimore Cooper
Words: 617 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

Last of the Mohicans Duncan's choice of Cora over Alice shows the paradigm of male/female relationships during the time depicted in the novel. What role does nature play in the novel? Nature in the novel is essentially regarded from two diverse viewpoints: that of the colonialists and that of the natives. For the colonialists, coming from an industrialized and urbanized setting, nature presents challenges and dangers. Mountains and lakes prove time- and

Last of the Mohicans the
Words: 341 Length: 1 Document Type: Term Paper

They are also supported by a cast of effective minor characters, all working together towards the climax and final scenes of the film. Other elements that the reviewer hails as particularly striking in the film include the striking scenery, and the soundtrack (Nesbit). The film offers several audiences a wonderful experience. The sound and scenery, for example, together with historical accuracy, provides an atmospheric experience that is highly recommended for

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now