Examples Of Racial Stereotypes In The Last Of The Mohicans

In the book, The Last of the Mohicans, the author, James Fenimore Cooper, subtly shares his ideas on the moral ways of the 18th century, one of the ideas being racism. At the time, racism was widespread as people were moving from their countries and into new lands. Taking place in New York during the French and Indian War, The Last of the Mohicans portrays various examples of racial stereotypes through what the characters say and how they act. Strong racial stereotypes are shown through many characters, two being Uncas, a Mohican Indian, and David Gamut, a white psalmist, their characteristics differing in demeanor and responsibility.

Uncas was a wise and respectful Indian, and being the last of his tribe, he held a lot of responsibility.

In many instances, Uncas was the first to realize valuable information, but he kept it to himself until addressed to speak. “The young Mohican cast a glance at his father, but maintaining his quiet and reserved mien, he continued silent.

Chingachgook had caught the look, and motioning with his hand, he bade him speak. The moment this permission was accorded, the countenance of Uncas changed from its grave composure to a gleam of intelligence and joy” (219). Hawkeye, a white friend of the Mohicans, explains this action; he says “‘...your young who gathers his learning from books and can measure what he knows by the page, may conceit that his knowledge, like his legs, outruns that of his father; but where experience is the master, the scholar is made to know the value of years, and respects them accordingly’” (219). Uncas has much respect for his father, Chingachgook, and this shows that although he is knowledgeable, he continues to seek guidance from others whom are more experienced than him. “‘Tell me, son of my brother,’ returned the sage, avoiding the dark countenance of Le Subtil, and turning gladly to the more ingenuous features of Uncas, ‘has the stranger a conqueror’s right over you?’ ‘He has none. The panther may get into snares set by the women; but he is strong, and knows how to

leap through them.’ ‘La Longue Carabine?’ ‘Laughs at the Mingos. Go, Huron, ask your squaws the color of a bear.’ ‘The stranger and the white maiden that came into my camp together?’ ‘Should journey on an open path.’ ‘And the woman that Huron left with my warriors?’ Uncas made no reply” (324). Uncas had the authority to determine the fate of the travelers, and even though he wanted to let Cora go, he was honest by giving her back to Magua, whom was her captor. This scene shows both his responsibility and his respectfulness through the way he handles the situation. Even though Uncas does not like Magua, he remained loyal to his tribe’s values.

David Gamut was a coward, but although he was considered to be helpless, he ended up trading his cowardliness for bravery, becoming the ‘man’ of the time period.

“He gazed, for a moment, at the dusky forms that were acting their hellish rites on every side of him, and his tall person grew more erect, while his chest heaved, and every feature swelled, and seemed to speak with the power of the feelings by which he was governed. ‘If the Jewish boy might tame the evil spirit of Saul by the sound of his harp, and the words of sacred song, it may not be amiss,’ he said, ‘to try the potency of music here.’ Then raising his voice to its highest tones, he poured out a strain so powerful as to be heard even amid the din of that bloody field” (181). Instead of fighting against the raging Indians, Gamut began to sing loudly. Although this action ended in his favor, with the Indians thinking he was mentally ill, it did not help anyone but himself, and he didn’t even know it would do that.He is stereotyped as a helpless white man who knows little of nature, and is not experienced like the Indians are; however, Gamut’s demeanor shifts later in the book. “‘...If you stay, it must be to sit down here in the shadow, and take the part of Uncas, until such times as the cunning of the Indians discover the cheat, when, as I have already said, your time of trial will come. So choose for yourself--to make a rush or tarry here.’ ‘Even so,’ said David, firmly; ‘I will abide in the place of the

Delaware. Bravely and generously has he battled in my behalf; and this, and more, will I dare in his service’” (282). Gamut became the courageous white man in this scene, where he risked his life for the sake of another. Rather than the coward he was, he becomes a hero in a sense. Pretending to be Uncas, who had been captured by the Delaware before they knew his identity, Gamut shows that he would rather die helping others than live helping himself. Because of the change of demeanor, Gamut’s stereotype shifts perspective by showing first, the unintelligible and inexperienced side of a white man in nature and second, the strong and brave characteristics a white man was considered to have.

Uncas and David Gamut are opposites in their characteristics. Uncas, last of the Mohican tribe, holds much responsibility in his hands to lead his people and keep them safe. He also is very attentive and helpful in the many expeditions throughout the book. On the other hand, Gamut is not so helpful until closer to the end of the book. At times, it seems he is just a burden. There are several instances where Gamut relays key information to the Mohicans and other travelers, but the only scenario where he was physically helpful was when he pretended to be Uncas. Uncas’ knowledge leads the other characters through important events of the plot, and Gamut’s stupidity allows comic relief through tragic times; therefore, while both characters are very different from another, both have strong roles and are necessary in the book.