Last of the Mohicans
By James Fenimore Cooper
Introduction to Last of the Mohicans
• This is a novel written by James Fenimore Cooper.
• It was published in 1826.
• It was the third of five novels about Natty Bumpo or
Leatherstocking, America’s first literary hero.
• All five novels became known as his Leatherstocking
Tales.
• In LOTM Natty Bumpo is known as Nathaniel (his
white name) or Hawkeye (his Mohican name).
• Story set during the French and Indian War. JFC
used the war as a backdrop for scenes of greatness:
great courage, great treachery, and great love.
Background for Last of the Mohicans
• Even though this story was written in 1826, it is set
during the French and Indian War, in the year 1757.
• Think back to the unit we just studied. The year
from which this film is set, is BEFORE what major
event?
– The Revolutionary War
• This means that the characters in the film are still
colonists and citizens of the British crown.
• During this war, the British were fighting against the
French and the Indians for possession of the
“western” territories beyond the colonies.
– After this war, anti-crown colonists began calling
themselves “patriots” and actively protesting the British
crown.
– Birth of the Romantic “American voice.”
Consider the Romantic…
• Why do you think a war, from nearly 70 years before the
novel’s time would be a desirable setting for a Romantic
novel?
– Hint: Think about the Romantic, idealized notion of war
versus the realistic, actualities of war. Also, how does it
emphasize American patriotism?
• Look at your Romanticism notes. Which characteristic of
Romanticism do you think the above concept best fits?
Why?
– (Hint: Think about the nostalgia and heroic myth of wars)
Background for Last of the Mohicans
Added Tension:
• Many colonists who did not have enough money to
come to the colonies became indentured servants.
– Indentured servants were people (generally Europeans)
who would work without wages for a period of time
(usually seven years) in order to pay their passage.
– Frontiersmen who were indentured servants often felt
torn between loyalty to the British crown, who gave them
their start in the colonies and loyalties to their community,
which they help create out of the wilderness.
• Therefore, because of this war, the colonists and
frontiersmen's loyalties should be with the British
crown, but tensions and frustrations of the
Revolutionary War were already beginning.
Characters in Last of the Mohicans
• In this film, you will see two groups of Native
Americans helping to fight the French and
Indian War: the Hurons and the Mohicans.
• Each tribe has aligned themselves with one of
the opposing sides of the war:
British
French
Mohicans
Nathaniel, because he is
white, can speak English
and Mohican.
Huron and Ottawa
Because the Huron have
allied themselves with
the French, many of
them can speak French.
Characters in Last of the Mohicans
Mohicans
• Hawkeye: He is also called Nathaniel
and is an adopted Mohican. He is the
Romantic hero or protagonist of this film.
• Uncas: He is Hawkeye’s Mohican
brother
• Chingachgook: He is Uncas’s father and Hawkeye’s adopted father
Mohican’s Frontier Friends
• John Cameron: He and his family live
on the frontier
• Jack Winthrop: He is also a frontiersman.
He becomes the civilian militia “leader” when
they are asked to fight with the British crown
against the French.
Characters in Last of the Mohicans
British Soldiers and Family
• Colonel Munro: He is the military
leader of Fort William Henry. He
is called “the Gray Hair” by his
enemy.
• Cora Munro: She is the Romantic Heroine of the story and
Hawkeye’s love interest.
• Alice Munro: Cora’s sister. She represents the “typical”
female of that time period.
• Duncan Heyward: He is a British officer
that escorts Cora and Alice from Albany, NY
to meet their father at Fort William Henry.
He is in love with Cora and proposes marriage
at the beginning of the film.
And now the “Bad Guys”
Enemies of the British
• Magua: He is a Huron Native
American. At the beginning of the
film, he poses as a Mohican to
gain the trust of the British. He
has a vendetta against Colonel
Munro, whom he calls “the Gray Hair.”
• General Montcalm: He is the leader of the
French army who is attacking Fort William
Henry.
Important Themes in Film
• The beauty and inspiration of the natural setting
reflects the ideas of the Romanticism
characteristics.
• The actions and beliefs of the
Romantic hero emphasize
Romantic ideals.
• Personal morals and beliefs supersede societal laws.
– Is it considered sedition (treason) if you follow your own
moral code instead of doing what the government
commands you to do?
• Romantic characters have an awareness of what is
the right choice for them based on their intuition.