NC+Last+of+the+Mohicans

BY: Nicole Chiappetti  In the __Last of the Mohicans__ the relationship between the Indians and the French and British was simply convenient. Neither group trusted the other but it was useful for them to use each other to get what they wanted. They never really fought together with a single purpose and throughout the book there were many examples of their differences including; their relationship with the environment, goals and cultural differences.  From the beginning the reader can tell the Indians are “one” with the environment. They appreciate nature and the animals that live in it. Even when they kill for food they honor the animal for its strength. The French and British, on the other hand, find the forests overwhelming; they are scared of the dark trees and heavy brush. They are afraid of animal attacks, worry about getting lost, and being in the woods at night. The British view the Indians with sympathy and horror. They fear their culture and their familiarity with the terrain. While the Indians find the colonists silly and unprepared for life in their world. But they are enhanced by the horses and the “firewater” the foreigners bring into the new world. The Indians and Whites are not natural enemies, for example Hawkeye and Chingachgook have lived together for many years, and both respect each other’s knowledge and skill. But, the British and French are set in their own culture and not willing to coexist. The British want to make the New World similar to England. They believe “extinction” is the only way for the Indians. Chingachgook believes “the same sun shines on all Indian cultures and the Indians should unite against the untrustworthy white man”. Unfortunately, his opinion isn’t reflected by the entire Indian culture.  Both groups took advantage of each other’s abilities in different ways. The Native Americans are used by the French & British troops as guides and warriors with promises of food, clothes, and “plunder” from the fort after the battle is won. This was something that was very important to the Indians just for their survival. When they are cheated out of their prize, they end up killing many innocent children, women and men out of revenge which only confirms to the Whites that they are savages. Even though, the Indians are cheated by the very troops they fight with they are labeled. The massacre was very important to the Whites to reinforce how terrible the Indians were and why it was okay to get rid of them. There was a lot of tension between the growing white culture and the shrinking Native American population.  Both the Indians and Whites had problems getting along within their own races. Within the Indian nation the tribes were warring against each other as well as the war that was going on between the British and French. If the Indians could have joined together they might have had a better chance of survival but basically they were divided and driven by their own personal interests allowing the extinction process to happen more quickly. Once the “firewater” was introduced to the Native Americans changes started to occur that did not bring unification. The internal problems of each race determined the end for the Indians and made extinction an almost certain fact.  Throughout the book one of the biggest themes is Uncas as the last Mohican. He symbolizes the diminishing Indian culture. His death at the end is truly sad because it is not only the conclusion of the book but finalizes the end of a tribe and culture. His romance with Cora would have never been allowed by either culture. They would have been outcasts. For even as liberal as Hawkeye’s ideas were about race and his close friendship and brotherhood with the Mohicans a relationship between a white woman and a Native American wasn’t acceptable. Uncas and Cora’s death at the end leaves the question of a mixed race relationship unanswered.  The __Last of the Mohicans__ is known as a historical romance and gives a very good picture of the relationship between the Native Americans and French and British at that time. Throughout the book the reader gets the feeling of impending doom for the Native Americans as the French and British continue to conquer their world. The Indians being more centered on nature and a simplistic lifestyle they are not equipped to dealing with the invading White population. Many factors brought these groups together but each for its own purpose making an unhappy endding inevitable.
 * REFLECTING ON ** **__THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS__**