The Last of the Mohicans is one of five novels in the Leatherstocking Series, all of which

were written by James Fenimore Cooper. Cooper is known to be "one of the nineteenth century's

most popular story tellers" because he "presented a simpler, idealized view of America's

westward migration" (Charles 392). Cooper was a pioneer of American literature. Writing

during the early to mid 1800's, Cooper is said to have "originated the American historical novel

and the tale of frontier life" (Haney 70). The Last of the Mohicans is categorized as a historical

romance because it incorporates the elements of a romance into the context of a historical event.

Throughout the novel Cooper explores such broad subjects as heredity and how it affects the

relationships between the characters. Also discussed in the novel are the interracial relationships

between Indians and whites and how these relationships have caused many of the characters to

loose a place in their culture and even brought entire races, such as the Mohican tribe, to

extinction. Binary Oppositions, such as pure blood versus mixed blood, noble Indian versus

savage Indian, and forest versus civilization are also apparent throughout t

in the Indian tribe, it is impossible to achieve the status of chief without being a direct descendent

British are out numbered and are forced to surrender to the French. As the British leave the fort

white society is the "overly confident" outsider, Duncan Heyward (Stanley and Milne 136).

pure-blooded of the two Munro sisters. Alice is the archetypal damsel-in-distress and the

who is now the last member of the Mohican tribe.

expansion westward also came a problem for the US government. With the public majority in

culture. He seems to represent the "best of both worlds." He is too proud of his origin to sink

66). Before Cooper's work, few people outside the United States had ever read an American

tracker, marksman, he personifies the spirit of the West; Hawkeye is the original "capable man"

Munro sisters. Hawkeye, Colonel Munro, Chingachgook, and Uncas follow Magua and rescue

to persuade Cora to marry him. In contrast, Duncan Heyward, a white soldier, asks Alice Munro

Literature 3rd ed. (Ed. Jim Camp. St. James Press, 1994). Repr. Stanley and Milne.

contrast between forest and civilization is the most apparent throughout the novel. Fort William

resigned from the navy and got married (Stanley and Milne 132). Cooper married Susan De

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)