James Fenimore Cooper

The Leatherstocking Tales Explores the imperial, racial, and social conflicts central to the emergence of the United States. Tells the story of frontiersman Natty Bumppo and his Indian friend Chingachgook. Portrays the image of a nation founded through conflict and dispossession that managed to sustain belief in its youthful innocence. Last of the Mohicans is the 2 nd novel in the series and shows Natty (aka Hawk-eye) as a wilderness scout in New York during the French and Indian War.

Last of the Mohicans A central theme is the relationship between Natty Bumppo and the Mohican, Chingachgook. It also focuses on the theme that progress comes at a price. In the chapter to be read, Natty and Chingachgook discuss the colonial history of the Americas and convey the differing historical perspectives of the English and the Native Americans.

“An Indian at the Burial- Place of His Fathers” Before these fields were shorn and tilled, Full to the brim our rivrs flowed; The melody of waters filled The fresh and boundless wood; And torrents dashed, and rivulets played, And fountains spouted in the shade. William Cullen Bryant

Volume I, Chapter 3 (p. 486) “an American landscape in July”; how do they describ their current location? “These feeble and broken sounds were…too familiar to the foresters”; what does this reveal about these characters immediately? The first man “presented a terrific emblem of death.” Red skin Little clothing Shaved head Tomahawk Rifle Appears strong

Volume 1, Chapter 3 (p ) The white man looked like “one who had known hardships and exertion from his earliest youth.” Wearing a hunting shirt and skins Carries a knife Wears moccasins Carries a pouch and horn Carries a long rifle Has eyes that are “small, quick, keen, and restless, roving while he [speaks].”

Volume 1, chapter 3 (p. 487) Natty Bumppo and Chingachgook are arguing about the traditions of their races and how they came to be in this land. Natty also admits that his people have ways of which he doesn’t approve. “Is there no difference, Hawk-eye, between the stone-headed arrow of the warrior and the leaden bullet with which you kill?” Every story has 2 sides, and each side doesn’t always tell the truth.

Volume I, chapter 3 (p ) The two friends are debating the beliefs of the Europeans and the Indians (fathers of the Mohicans vs. the Bible). The two respect each other enough to listen to each side; what does this reveal about the two characters? “The land we had taken like warriors, we kept like men”; what does Chingachgook mean by this? Chingachgook is proud of his heritage and says he is the last full blooded line of his kind; his son Uncas is the last of the Mohicans.

Volume I, chapter 3 (p ) Natty Bumppo follows the lead of his companion, as this is not his “territory.” How is the behavior of Uncas typical of a youth? What do you notice about the father/son relationship as Uncas hunts? What is the conflict Chingachgook is discussing? What does the name Hawk-eye reveal about Natty Bumppo? Chingachgood defers to Natty as the “white men” approach; the two trust each other to speak for them when among their native kind.