The Last Of Mohicans Essay

The Most Interesting Man

The novel “The Last of Mohicans” encompass a lot of interesting characters; however, the novel’s main protagonist is Hawkeye, also known by several other names such as: the scout and Natty Bumppo. Five different novels of Fennimore Cooper stars Hawkeye, known as the Leather stocking Tales. In addition to that, his characters in the novels have never been changed or developed. The main strength of Hawkeye is his adaptability, which makes him a strong character in the novel. He has the ability to adapt to the difficulties of the frontier because he is a strong built hunter and fearless scout. Often called as, La Longue Carabine,” which is French for “the long rifle among his Indian enemies.

In many aspects, Hawkeye acts like Native American; whereas he identifies himself by his white race and Indian world with his closest friends being Chingachgook and Uncas. Hawkeyes hybrid background breeds both productive alliances and racist convictions, but he emphasizes again and again that his white blood has never mingled with other races. He has a pure blood that distinguish him from stereotypical Native American norm. Indians are portrayed as ferocious with an urge to

kill and tear their enemies; however, Hawkeye actions depicts a different prospective. Hawkeye decision to spare the lives of Magua (a craft villain) and Huron gives the evidence of his pure white blood.
Hawkeye also represents a white man who make judgments without regard to race.

He has disrobed useless or unessential aspects of white civilization such as outmoded beliefs of honor and formal education in order to survive in the wilderness. He retains an essential “purity” in his nature that cannot be altered. Hawkeye is an extremely self-made, independent and sharp man who has the ability to adapt himself to an uncultivated and unhospitable region. Along with this Hawkeye is also a veteran fighter and have fought many battles with the French and Indians. Hawkeye does not have good opinion for Indians, Huron’s especially; however, he thinks Mohicans are more true and sincere. He has a very intense and well established friendship with the Mohican and can even sacrifice his

life.
Hawkeye seems a little incomplete without his friend Chingachgook. He admires Chingachgook for his amazing qualities and values as an individual. The two men take great pride in their pure and unmixed blood. Hawkeye and Chingachgook are both the same age, are experienced foresters and both are apparently chaste. There is an important difference between Chingachgook and Hawkeye that can be summed up by the title. Chingachgook represents the last of the line. He shows a way of life slowly fading away as they are slowly pushed out of their land by the pale faces. He symbolizes “the Last of Mohicans” while Hawkeye depicts a completely different new type of men. A man who left all the backward traditions behind in order to survive.
Till the end of the novel, Hawkeye sticks with his friendship with Chingachgook. Although Hawkeye supports friendship without regards to race but he is against sexual desire between men and women. These racist opinions and views of Hawkeye about the racism still haunt people.