Last of the Mohicans The Frontier History Indian Removal Captivity Narrative

Frontier Old problem of the wilderness New Vision of the wilderness Frontier where identities meet Frontier where identities are potentially undone Frontier an unstable boundary of national identity.

History Written in 1826; set in 1757 Offers a national perspective on America’s colonial past Historical events of 1757 “about” the present day of America. European conflict in colonial theatre has been “updated” to be about white-native relations.

Indian Removal 1830: President Andrew Jackson delivers his famous “Removal Address” Inevitability of whites pushing natives out Indian Removal has “already happened.”

Captivity Narrative Cora and Alice under escort Threat of the wilderness sexualized White women passed between white and indian culture Plot of conflict between England and French re-written as captivity narrative American “innocence” – derived from victimization of women

Hawkeye: Reluctant American “Man without a cross” Critical of white culture Denies he is “crossed” with natives Cultural/social interest in Native life Racial/ “biological” rejection of Native identity Radical individualism (think Whitman)

Questions to Consider What motivates Hawkeye? Why does Magua love Cora? Why doesn’t Magua love Alice? What is novel’s attitude toward the “lastness” of the Mohicans?