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Last of the Mohicans Film Analysis

I. Historical Context and Setting

The Last of the Mohicans was published in 1826 and tells the story of the French and Indian War that occurred in 1757. Britain and France are battling for control of the North American colonies, and many of the American frontiersmen that live here are caught in the middle. As we watch the opening scenes, pay attention to both the setting of the story, as well as the frontiersmen who are trying to settle in these colonies.

1. Hawk-Eye, the lead character in the film, is an American frontiersman, as well as the Romantic hero of the story. What character traits are revealed about him in the opening scenes?

2. Why do Chingachgook, Uncas, and Hawkeye have a plan to head west?

3. How is the frontier depicted in the film? Who lives in the frontier and why do they choose to do so?

4. The frontiersmen are expected to join forces with the British army due to the practice of indentured servitude. Why would the frontiersmen believe that serving the British would NOT be in their best interests even though it was the expected behavior?

5. How does life on the frontier in this film compare to other colonial experiences we have studied this year (the Puritans coming to American, Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson urging the colonies to war, etc)? Are their motivations similar? Why or why not?

II. Plot Questions

6. Duncan Heyward is a British officer. What addition role does Duncan have in this movie?

7. Duncan proposes to Cora at the beginning of this film. Why does Cora not immediately accept his proposal? What does this demonstrate about her character?

8. When Hawkeye rescues the girls for the first time, he sends the horses away. When he encounters those slaughtered by the war party on the farm, he knows that he shouldn’t bury the dead since it will indicate that they had been there. Which characteristic of Romanticism is he demonstrating in both circumstances?

9. At the river scene, what does Duncan inform Nathaniel that he should be doing? What is Hawkeye’s response and how does this reflect a characteristic of the Romantic hero?

10. To whom does the farm belong? Why is Hawkeye and his family upset at their deaths?

11. Romantic writers were often superstitious, much like the Native Americans. Cite one example of superstition shown by the Native Americans.

12. Explain Hawkeye’s upbringing. What effect does sharing this have on Cora’s opinion of him?

13. Which character is referred to as the gray-haired one? Give his name, not the relationship to other characters. (This is important for later on.)

14. Which Native American wants to kill Cora? What is his motivation for wanting Cora dead?

15. Hawkeye bravely escorts Cora and Alice to the fort where their father is working. After Hawkeye arrives at the fort, he explains to the British leaders that the frontier settlements were attacked by a Native American war party. How does Duncan’s interpretation of this event act as a challenge to Hawkeye’s testimony? What is Duncan’s motive for contradicting Hawkeye?

16. Hawkeye is accused of sedition and as a result arrest. Define sedition.

17. Explain whether or not you believe Hawkeye was justified in his reluctance to serve the British army.

18. Cora goes to her father, Colonel Munro and challenges Hawkeye’s arrest. Why is Cora’s objection unexpected from a woman of her position? What characteristic of a Romantic hero is she demonstrating at this point? 19. Pay close attention to the parley scene between the French and the British. What new information does General Montcalm reveal to General Monroe?

20. Despite their best efforts to win the war, General Munro realizes that the British must surrender. Explain the terms of the surrender.

21. Why is General Munro willing to agree to these terms when his orders are to win the war?

22. General Montcalm says that he cannot break the terms the British surrender. What does this statement imply to Magua? What can we infer about Magua’s next step?

23. As the British retreats, who decides to attack and why? What happens to General Munro during the attack? What happens to both Cora and Alice?

24. Hawkeye decides to leave Cora and Alice in the cave with Duncan. Why does he decide to leave rather than stay and protect the women?

25. The girls and Duncan are captured and taken to the camp of the wise one, the tribal chief. What initial decision does he make regarding the fate of both Alice and Cora?

 Alice

 Cora

26. Hawkeye arrives in time to hear the punishment for the girls. He is opposed to the wise one’s decision. What suggestion does he make to the wise one?

27. Is Hawkeye successful at getting the chief to change his mind? Why or why not?

28. What is Duncan’s final act of bravery? What motivates him to commit this act? Is this enough to classify Duncan as a Romantic hero? Why or why not?

29. Think about Hawkeye’s persuasive speech given to Sachem in order to save Cora and Alice. He utilizes ethos, logos and pathos in this speech. Using the transcript of the speech given to you, identify an example of each persuasive appeal. Then explain why you think each quote demonstrates that persuasive technique.

How does Hawkeye establish List one example of logos List one example of pathos. ethos in the eyes of Sachem?

Explanation Explanation Explanation

30. What is the final fate of both Alice and Uncas? Be sure to identify the cause of each character’s fate.

 Alice

 Uncas

31. Think about the choice that Alice made. Does her choice qualify her as a Romantic hero? Why or why not?

32. At the end of the movie, Chingachnook reflects on his fate, as well as the fate of his tribe. What does he believe will happen to him and the Mohicans? Explain how his reflections fit in with the characteristics of Romanticism.

IV. Romanticism Characteristics

Look for at least three different characteristics of American Romanticism. Write the Romantic characteristic on the left side of the chart below. Then, give SPECIFIC EXAMPLES from the movie and EXPLAIN how each characteristic is represented in the movie. Write that response on the right side of the chart. An example is completed for you on the chart. You need to find three additional examples.

Characteristic Explanation The part of the movie after the Mohicans shoot the elk is an #6: Contemplates nature’s beauty as a path example of this characteristic. They give thanks and pray to the to spiritual and moral development elk. This shows that they respect nature and realize that without the elk giving its life they would not have food, thus using nature as a path to spiritual development.

Characteristic Explanation