James Fenimore Cooper’s novel, The Last of the Mohicans was published in 1826. It takes place in the New York wilderness between 1757 and 1763. The book is about the French and Indian War (1754-1763). The book is about Alice and Cora Munro and their journey to Fort Willism Henry. Both the British and French used Native American allies during the war to control North America. However, the British were more dependent on the French colonists in the Northeast frontier areas. In the text, Native Americans are represented as the Delaware Indians and Mohicans, Mohawks, and Iroquois. The first two groups are described as kind and peaceful Indians, while the second two are bloodthirsty, vengeful, and deceitful. Cooper does his best to portray Native Americans in an optimistic and positive light. However, he still idolizes and demonizes them.
The Last of the Mohicans is an appropriate name. It symbolizes not only a fallen tribe of Native Americans; it also marks the end for all Indian nations. Native American civilization was decimated by more Europeans arriving on American shores. They considered themselves to be superior to native people because they were more educated and “advanced”. They were civilized, the Indians barbaric, and savages. The physical accomplishments of people are only part of their story. It is important to consider their ideals, values, and way of living. Unfortunately, European settlers failed this with Native Americans. One can no longer accept that technological progress, population growth and conquest constitute the undisputed hallmarks a modern civilization. Instead, one should look at family dynamics, community, social support, nourishment. The native people, like many colonists, were treated as inferior and weaker than the whites. They are unable to understand each other’s ways. Their alliances are for mutual gain and not out of deeper understanding or compassion. Even Hawkeye cannot live in both worlds, even though he has the chance. Hawkeye sees the wide gap between the Mingo’s ways and those of white men. Hawkeye believes whites are more educated and have better values. However, he still respects the traditions, customs, and religion of Indians. Cooper reflects the attitudes towars Indians during that period. He frequently calls Native American “savages” Magua was “constantly manipulated by those revengeful instincts that in no savage rarely slumber” (Chapter VIII). Cooper clearly believes that revengeful natures are part of Indian culture, as is cunning and craftiness. Cooper is a good skeptic and tries to see Indian culture objectively. This is evident in his portrayal of Mohicans in positive Indians and acknowledging the good qualities of the Savages.
The novel is heavily influenced by race and interracial relationships play an integral part in its development. As the British oppose mixing with lower-class races, miscegenation has been condemned. Magua’s and Cora’s marriage is a disgusting idea. Even Cora is put at a disadvantage because of her black blood – Heyward does not consider her suitable marriage material and she is thought to have inherited racial characteristics/personality traits. Cora’s dark skin can lead to her being repelled by Magua at first. “Pity, admiration, and terror” are her reactions to Magua. (Chapter 1). Cora is more open-minded about race. Uncas asks her to remember the skin tone of Cora’s face (Chapter VI). This view was not shared by others at the time. Uncas loves Cora. Hawkeye is not happy that Uncas and Cora are still together after death. He knows that their relationship would not be recognized by society and her family. It is fascinating to see that the friendship between males and mixed races does not exist, as demonstrated in the case between Hawkeye, Chingachgook or Uncas.
Native Americans were influenced by Europeans in many ways. Magua, for example, was expelled by the Hurons after the white man introduced firewater (alcohol) to the Indians. Europeans brought their diseases. The spread of infectious diseases to which Native Americans were not immune, quickly spread across the country. People could not care for the sick, bury the dead or secure food and water. They also had to abandon their communities or villages. Squanto was a Pawtuxet native who had been captured by European settlers. He escaped and returned to his village to find no survivors. The plague that had swept the country had already killed the villiagers. The religious settlers thought that the disease was a divine sign that God had shown that the natives were not worthy of it (Stockwell). Europeans believed God was cleansing the Native Americans of their unchristian faith. The Native American population was about 10% less than it was in 1491 by the time of the 18th century. Social structure and support systems for native Americans had collapsed. Many communities were destroyed. To survive, tribes needed to work together. This was a long-lasting practice that eroded Native Americans’ self-identity and individualism (Zinn 3, Loewen 77)
Native Americans were known to have inhabited North American for thousands years. They lived in harmony and peace, but they couldn’t have foreseen the effects of European oppression and expansion on them. Native Americans supported and tolerated the establishment of colonies in the 16th and17th centuries. However, Native Americans were often mistreated, kidnapped and abused, and left behind. Many Native Americans changed their ways and began to adapt to European American culture. Some were successful, while others weren’t. The white people didn’t accept them fully or give them equal rights.
The French Indian war was the first step towards the demise of Native American Culture. Fred Anderson, a historian, writes that the French and Indian War brought an end to the French Empire in North America. It also destroyed the native peoples’ ability to resist Anglo-American settlement expansion. In addition, the war’s violence & brutality encouraged whites, particularly those on the frontier, to hate Indians and unleash an unrelenting fury. Fearing losing their land the Indians chose to join the French, who were at a disadvantage during the war but were more sensitive to Indian ways. The French lost, and the Native Americans were driven westwards. This went on for decades before President Jackson took the decision to officially launch “The Trail of Tears”. Jackson claimed his plan to send the Native Americans further west to less populated territory was beneficial for both the Native Americans as well as the white population. But, it would have been detrimental to the Native Americans, who would have lost their culture, homes and lives. The Indian Removal Act completely ignored Native American culture.
The Last of the Mohicans provides a glimpse into the French and Indian War. It helps us to understand how various ethnic groups could have interacted with one another. Cooper has presented his thoughts on Native Americans and their traditions and we can now see the sad decline of this great culture. Even though the Native American culture remains today, it isn’t as vibrant and rich today. It may rise again. It is important not only to acknowledge past mistakes, but also to remember the events of history as revealed by James Fennimore Cooper. There is evidence that a whole culture has been marginalized. We must not suppress this evidence. Only then can we learn from American history and be more open to “other” cultures.
Works citées
Adolf Leonard “Squanto’s Role as a Pilgrim Diplomaty.” Ethnohistory 11.3 (1964), 247. Academic Search Premier is an academic research database. May 15, 2016 Web.
Fisher, Laura. Eric Stange. Ben Loeterman. Graham Greene. William A. Anderson. Peter Rhodes. Peter Pilafian. James Callanan. Brian Keane. Virginia Johnson. Katha. The conflict that shaped the United States. , 2006.
Bradley, James. Flyboys. Little, Brown, and Company published a book in New York in 2003. Print.
Cooper, James Fenimore. The Last Mohicans. Published by Washington Square Press in New York in 1957.
Happy, Belic, Roko, ed. Noir Studio, 2011. Film.
Stockwell, Mary. The American Story: Perspectives on Encounters Up to 1865. San Diego: Bridgepoint, 2012. January 11, 2015 Web.
