MB+-Last+of+the+Mohicans

Race Relations During the French and Indian War Much of James Cooper’s material in //Last of the Mohicans// depicting the turbulent relationships between the Europeans and Native Americans is supported by actual facts, and is therefore a useful tool in understanding race relations in the 18th century. He depicts a clash between two entirely different cultures, each proud and intent on preserving their own values and traditions. On one side are the Europeans, who are scared to death of the unfamiliar American terrain, and fear the raping of their women and pillaging of their villages at the hands of bloodthirsty savages. On the other are the Native Americans, who are being forced to witness their own settlements disappear, along with the land that had provided for them for so long. Some desire revenge, some want to work with the Europeans, but all wish to preserve their ancient culture. A major topic throughout //The Last of the Mohicans// is the extermination of natives by the Europeans. Uncas being the last Mohican represents how the Europeans, whether purposely or by accident, have wiped out a whole nation of people, down to the last man. This genocide would equate to the destruction of a whole country today, with all of it’s customs disappearing from the earth forever. White men did not reduce the Native Americans’ population by brute force alone, but mostly through diseases such as smallpox. As much as 90% of America’s native population vanished due to European influences. Furthermore, when European guns were introduced to the natives, open warfare became much more deadly between hostile tribes took its toll on the Native American population. The fact remains that due to Europeans’ influences in America, millions of Native Americans lost their lives. Another topic Cooper brings to light is the touchy subject of interracial intimacy between these clashing cultures. Cora and Uncas’s romantic dilemma was one felt all over Colonial America. Magua wanted to marry Cora only because he understood European’s negative views on interracial marriage. To marry outside one’s race was considered shameful for both races. Nevertheless, as the two cultures started to mix, more and more love stories between natives and whites popped up. In most cases, these romances were never allowed to blossom, even though interracial marriages may have eased tensions between the French, British, and Native Americans. This problem is in no sense totally eradicated, as even today some people frown on interracial marriage. It is safe to say that relations between the Europeans and Native Americans was strained from the get go. The Native Americans believed it was their right to defend themselves from the increasingly violent Europeans, who took away their lives and land. Meanwhile, the Europeans believed it was their god given right to kill anyone who threatened their expanding population and territories. These tensions escalated into the French and Indian war, with natives fighting for both sides. If anything can be inferred from Cooper’s novel, it is that the relationship between the Europeans and Native Americans was icy, and there was no possibility of reconciliation between the cultures. In the end he proved correct, as President Jackson’s Removal Act in 1830 forced thousands of natives from their homes. The presence of Native American reservations in the U.S. today stands as a symbol of the continuing tense relationship between the white man and the Native American.

//Last of the Mohicans Questions//

Question 1- Why did James Fenimore cooper decide to use the American wilderness as a backdrop to his love story? Cooper chose the American wilderness because the tension of the frontier, combined with the conflict of war, makes the romance more dramatic and unpredictable. Just as the Munro sisters are venturing deep into an unknown land, their hearts venture into the unknown waters of interracial relationships. In this untamed land, anything goes, and that includes romance. People discover their personal boundaries in new situations, and Cora is a prime example, as she falls in love with Uncas.

Question 2- The Novel takes place in 1757. Describe the colonial frontier as Cooper describes it. The colonial frontier in //the Last of the Mohicans// is seen as a refuge to the Native Americans, and as a dangerous and confusing place to the Europeans, especially the British. Safe passageways through the wilderness are known only by Hawkeye and the Natives, making the Munro sisters and Officer Heyward totally dependant on their guidance. Cooper himself focuses on the beauty and peacefulness of the nature itself, and it is only made unsafe by hostile Natives and French. The American frontier is starting to become the home of the colonists as people like Hawkeye learn the ways of the land.

Question 3- Who is Natty Bumppo? Why is he focal point of the book? Natty Bumpo is the frontiersman known as Hawkeye, who is learned in the ways of both European and Native American living. Even though he lives in the wilderness and most of his friends are natives, Hawkeye identifies himself as a white man with pure white blood. Even so, his most important trait is that he is a hybrid of the native and European ways of live. He represents the mingling of the two cultures and possibly the American colonists themselves. Hawkeye has the best attributes of each society, making him an exceptional hunter, guide, and person in general.

Question 4- Describe the relationship between, the English and the natives, and the relationship between the English and the colonists? I found that in many ways, the British treated the Colonists and the Native Americans as lesser people. First of all, neither the Colonists or the natives enjoyed all of the rights the English did, and so paid the price of less freedom and more restrictions. The British seemed to think that they had the right to make laws for both the Americans and the natives from across the Atlantic, and expected them to obey without question. Finally, many colonists and natives fought alongside the British in the French and Indian war, yet both societies were underappreciated and received few privileges for their bravery.

Question 5- Why was "Last of the Mohicans" considered a master piece in 1823? The //Last of the Mohicans// was a masterpiece because it created an exciting yet realistic depiction of life in the wilderness, as well as the unusual relationships between these clashing races. Most authors during that time did not address the “civil rights” aspect of frontier life, choosing to portray all whites as pure and all Natives to be bloodthirsty savages. Cooper creates more realistic characters, with conflicted whites and peaceful Native Americans like Uncas and Chingachgook.

Question 6- What parts of the book confused you?  Cooper’s general style of writing is probably what confused me the most while reading this book. Compared to today’s traditional writing styles, Cooper spends a lot more time describing the setting and circumstances surrounding the events instead of the events themselves. In my opinion, this novel was a lot longer than it needed to be. Also, the general language used in the 18th century can get old very fast, and it was very difficult to comprehend what Cooper was saying in the first few chapters.

Source Book Responses “A young African boy is taken into slavery”: By far the most demoralizing aspect of Venture’s abduction was his witnessing his father’s torture. He says himself that he has been “overcome while thinking on it” when he remembers his role model being beaten to death. Venture’s dad was apparently a prince, a person of importance to his nation who ruled fairly, and seeing such a man be brutally murdered must have traumatized him. Venture’s assimilation to the colonial lifestyle was aided greatly by the fact that he was only seven or eight when he was shipped to Rhode Island. This means that while not a totally blank slate, his mind was a little more malleable and accepted this change in scenery more readily than a teenager or adult. Venture finished growing up while in the colonies, and therefore was adjusted to Colonial life by his twenties. Also, Venture marrying the slave Meg certainly made life more bearable for him, and perhaps eased his transition between two completely different worlds. Difficult situations are always easier to overcome with someone supporting and loving you. “The intolerant Act of Toleration”: Lord Baltimore was, in my opinion, a weasley politician-he protected his own people by selling out others-but he did what he could to ensure the safety of Catholics in Maryland. The Act of Toleration protected mainly Baltimore’s Catholics from hostile Protestants and Puritans. By saying that all sects of Christianity were immune from persecution, the law united all Christians against all non-Christians. If one of Baltimore’s Catholics were discriminated against, a fine would be paid by the accused, with a good amount of the fine going into the Lord’s pocket. Although the Act of Toleration claimed to be a great act of humanity and a call for equality, the law actually called for the heads of anyone who did not believe in Jesus or the Holy Trinity. This includes Atheists, Jews, and Native Americans, whose beliefs conflicted with the Christian ruling majority. If these groups of people were found, they would be executed, and all of their assets and possessions would be taken over by Lord Baltimore. “Framing the Mayflower Compact”: While I acknowledge that the Mayflower Compact contains a basic overview of the functions of the New England government, I do not think it can be called the first “American” constitution. The Pilgrims repeatedly stressed that they were loyal to the King of England and to Great Britain, which means they were not truly Americans, but just British in another place. Whatever laws the pilgrims passed would be heavily influenced by the King. The Pilgrims themselves never identified themselves as “American”, either. The Compact’s mention of forming “just and equal laws…for the general good of the colony” alludes greatly of a democracy in New England’s future. Regularly reevaluating laws for the greater good is a staple of democratic beliefs, as well as equality and representation of the whole population. This document basically states that the Pilgrims would try to govern as fairly as possible using the techniques they knew, but would be open to change in the future. “Anne Hutchinson is Banished”: The transcript of Hutchinson’s trial is glimpse of how warped the Puritan’s lifestyle was. Not only is this woman locked up for having “direct contact from god”, but the whole trial seems to be focused on Anne’s communication with a someone that nobody in the court has seen or personally talked to (except maybe Anne). The Puritans never had any intention of having a fair trial; they just wanted Hutchinson imprisoned, exiled, or killed before she showed their community a new way of life. Just because someone disagrees with the status quo does not give the majority the right to snuff out independent thought. “Blue Laws of Connecticut”: Most of the “Blue Laws” shown are extremely harsh, and almost all are driven by religion, which would not be tolerated today. The “crimes” of worshipping a different god or gods and blasphemy certainly do not warrant the death penalty. Likewise, the execution of stubborn children and witches seems ludicrous in today’s society. This being said, the acts of murder (Laws 4 and 5), kidnapping, (10), and perjury, (11) are all considered crimes in today’s courts. You will notice that none of these laws take religion into consideration