Last of the Mohicans

The “Last of the Mohicans” demonstrates the difference and diversity of the cultures of the New World or America in 1757. James Fennimore Cooper, the writer of “Last of the Mohicans,” told a story of life between three cultures in eastern Canada and modern day area New York State. The three main cultures he wrote about in “Last of the Mohicans” are the Native Americans, settlers, and the British.

First, the Native Americans lived in the New World before any settlers came to the New World. The colonists forced the Native Americans to move their homes further inward or to new places along the coast. Some Native Americans were forced to be slaves or guides for the colonists. This angered the Native Americans and started conflict between them and colonists. Hawkeye, Nathaniel, was from Europe, but when coming to the New World he switched ways and started living with the Mohicans. Chingachgook was a father-figure to Hawkeye; he often refers to him as “white son.” Chingachgook also has a son, Uncas, who makes his dad very emotional. Uncas is a friend of Hawkeye. Uncas has the nature of an Indian, but he is gentler than want the Europeans classify Indians. Native Americans were very spiritual. They believed everything has a spirit. In the beginning of the movie it shows Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Uncas killing a deer. After they kill them they bless him and say they are sorry for having to kill him. Hawkeye, Uncas, and Chingachgook are the Indians who help the Munro sisters to safety. The Huron is a Native American tribe who sides with the French along with the Ottawa tribe. Magua is the leader of the Hurons; he guides the settlers around the land and trails. Magua seeks revenge on General Monroe and his army. Magua figures out that if he captures Alice and Cora, General Monroe’s daughters, he will have seeked revenge.

The second culture of people showed in “Last of the Mohicans” is the cultures of the settlers or the colonists. Most colonists, who came from Europe, came as indentured servants. Indentured servants are people who work for a certain amount of time and were promised land at the end of a time period as pay. Some colonists didn’t receive any land at the end of the time period. They couldn’t do anything about this because there was no law to enforce contracts that were made. Most colonists live on the frontier. The frontier is an area where people live and there isn’t any protection from Native American tribes or British armies. Colonists farmed most of the time. They farm mostly tobacco, wheat, and corn. John Cameroon is an ex-indentured servant in the movie. The movie starts off with John and his family at their cabin on the frontier. He is asked to join the army when in town. John refuses to join the army because there would be no one to protect his family on the frontier.

Third of all, the British brought some changes to the culture in the New World. The British soldiers are often too referred as Redcoats. The British wrecked tons of land for hunting and living purposes like the settlers. The British took land and supplies from the Native Americans and colonists. They wanted more land to claim for Britain and the King and Queen. In the movie, General Monroe has two daughters, Alice and Cora Monroe. General Monroe is the head of Fort Henry and leaves his daughters with Major Duncan Heyward while at Fort Henry. Major Duncan Heyward