Hawkeye’s closest allies, Chingachgook and Uncas, both Mohican, epitomize the wise, stoic Native American character we are all so familiar with. Cooper’s depictions of the major Mohican and Huron characters shaped modern stereotypes of Native Americans. The Last of the Mohicans helped perpetuate the myth that it was America’s destiny to drive westward and “settle” an untamed continent. These themes, which later came to dominate the Western genre, directly influenced our shared national identity.
His story is one of survival, and Cooper crafts it perfectly. Hawkeye is the quintessential frontiersman: constantly pitted against both human enemies and the dangers of the natural world. The book has proved to be a major influence in our collective memory of the war and, more importantly, how we view Native Americans, westward expansion, and the American spirit. The book depicts a key moment in American history, as told from the perspective of an American less than 70 years after the story takes place. It is no wonder that The Last of the Mohicans is often considered the first Great American Novel.Ĭooper’s literary classic is a staple of many high school literature courses, and rightfully so. Brutal 18th-century combat is beautifully mixed with romance and the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Adirondack Mountains. Hawkeye’s journey provides a glimpse into the North American front of the Seven Years’ War, also known as the French and Indian War. Tasked with escorting the daughters of a British officer between remote outposts of the empire, Hawkeye finds himself immersed in a war between British, French, Huron, Mohican, and American forces. The novel, set in 1757, follows Natty Bumppo, also known as Hawkeye or “ The Long Rifle,” as he navigates the dangers of a war-torn New York frontier. It’s been 195 years since James Fenimore Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans was published in 1826. “History, like love, is so apt to surround her heroes with an atmosphere of imaginary brightness.” - The Last of the Mohicans
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