The Last Of The Mohicans

Introduction and Notes by David Blair from the University of Kent at Canterbury set the stage for this gripping narrative set in 1757. In the backdrop of north-eastern America, the British and French armies are locked in a fierce struggle for dominance. Beneath this larger conflict lies an intricate tapestry of older rivalries among Native American nations vying for control of the same lands, as well as tensions between these indigenous peoples and the encroaching white colonizers. In the midst of this turmoil, Cooper weaves a compelling story featuring Cora and Alice Munro, daughters of a British commander engaged in the colonial war. As they endeavor to reach their father, they are thwarted by the menacing Magua, an 'Indian runner'. However, they find unexpected allies in Hawkeye, a resourceful white woodsman, and his companions, Chingachgook and his son Uncas, the last members of the Mohican tribe. The novel is rich with dynamic scenes of pursuit through rugged landscapes, skirmishes, deceit, and raw brutality, yet it also delves into the complex interactions between colonists and native tribes. Through Hawkeye's character, Cooper poses enduring questions about the realities of frontier life and the gradual disappearance of indigenous cultures.