The Last of the Mohicans Essay -- essays research papers

The Last of the MohicansIn James Fenimore Coopers book, The Last of the Mohicans, we find a classic story set in the 1700s. During this time, the war between the French and English is raging, complicated by an additional contention between the Mohican Indians and the Huron Indians. The location is in the area of Lake George in the Hudson Valley,somewhere between invigorated York and Canada. The theme of this book is a conflict between civilization and viciousness, each being personified in both the whites, the Indians, and in nature itself.The author seems to be show the truth of human nature that there is afine line between acting in a civilized manner and giving in to the primitive urge to totally destroy other human beings. The ruggedness of the region provided a similar conflict with man. At times, it was beautiful,sheltering, protecting, and nourishing the characters with food and water.At other times, it was obviously wild and untamed bringing danger andaiding in destructio n.There were many prominent characters in the book. These includeChingachgook and his son, Uncas, who are the last remain Mohicans andthe protagonists of the story. Another was Hawk-eye, who is a white manraised from birth by Chingachgook. Major Duncan Hayward is an officer withthe English military who is assigned to transport two sisters from stronghold Edward to their father at Fort William Henry. The antagonist, or dominant enemy, of the story was Magua, a Huron Indian who was a leader of his people and was driven by the traditional savagery of his tribe.The story begins with Major Hayward preparing to carry out his orders to transport Alice and Cora Monroe to their father, General Monroe, at Fort William Henry. In order to make the journey safely he engage a guide familiar with the area to lead the party through the treacherous territory. Unknown to him, his guide, Mage, had a plan to entrap them by leading them to the Hurons where they would sure be killed. As they pressed on through thick forests and deep rivers, they came upon a psalmist named David Gumet sitting beside the path. Gumet was a pleasant person and a gifted vocalist who had lost his horse and his provisions. They encouraged him to join them for his own safety. Shortly down the path, the Mohicans ambushed them with th... ...e bargained with Magua, Uncas tried to sneak up on him. Magua saw him and killed Cora. Uncas leaped onMagua trying to intrust him down, but Magua stabbed Uncas multiple times killing him. Hawk-eye took his gun and shot Magua, causing him to fall down the steep mountain cliff to his death. After joining tail together for a ceremony, the story comes to an abrupt end as they all went their separate ways.Overall, the book was enjoyable to read because there was constant adventure and it was full moon of surprises. Cooper seemed to highlight the strength of the friendships between the characters throughout the book and how they were able to overcome adversity. The onl y Christian character in the story was David Gumet, who played a minor part. The story portrayed a definite secular worldview, particularly with the constant violence and thespiritual practices of the Indians. The wording was, at times, difficult toread and the author had a tendency to jump back-and-forth between characters and situations. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to others because it was adventurous and not boring. I found it difficult to put down once I started reading it.