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 Huron and Ottawa Nathaniel, because he is Because the Huron have white, can speak English allied themselves with and Mohican. 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” French Enemies • 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..