Racial Divides in The Last of the Mohicans Essay

Throughout James Fennimore makes novel The Last of the Mohicans a cat valium theme of interracial friendship and love and the difficulty it takes to overcome such an obstacle, is sh sustain strongly in the work. In the novel Cooper shows how the America people of European decent treat those that be native, by showing how negatively they treat the Native Americans. Chingachgook and Hawkeye have a friendship that is genuine and cabalistic, bypassing the normal relationship ming direct with that of a whiteness man and a Mohican Indian. Interracial love and romantic relationships are condemned inThe Last of the Mohicans, for example when, Cora, the older daughter of Munro, is approached by Magua and he explains his desire for their marriage it is preceded that their relationship is uncomfortable as well as awkward whereas Uncas and Coras mutual relationship ends in a terrible tragedy. Cooper makes it apparent that track was important in each individuals acceptance and respect in t he early American confederacy, but the bond and friendship mingled with Hawkeye and Chingachgook is stronger than the American communitys influence there is also a common theme of interracial romantic relationships being impossible because of how Coras relationships with Uncas and Magua both come to an end.Numerous critics agree that Coopers novel makes the relationship between the Native Americans and the white Americans noticeably different from their affiliation with their own race. The Last of the Mohicans shifts its action back in time to the mythopoetical realm when the future of American hung in the balance between the primitive and the civilized, between the French and the British, between the white and red men. (Burt 1). Burt suggests that with the treatment between the characters it shows America at a different stage, one that is still being reinforced on and not quite an finished in construction.Burt also suggests that That the last of the Mohicans is honest in Coopers portrayal of the interaction that is between the deuce main races of the novel, all the focal point to the depths of the psychology of Native Americans and their place in American culture and conscience. (Burt 1). The racial conflicts in the novel are shown when multiple cultures interact without physical conflict, settle their differences done dialogue. (Rinne 15). The conversation that is presented throughout the novel seems to help settle more or less of the disputes, between many individuals like Alice and Magua, a relationship that exemplifies how white and red men portray one another.This concept of interracial interaction between the people of the novel, condescension the bond between Hawkeye and Chingachgook, is shown clearly that it is not a pleasant connection. As they traversed that shortly distance, not a voice was heard amongst them but a slight exclamation proceeded from the younger of the females as the Indian runner glided by her unexpectedly and led the comm ission along the military road in her front. (Cooper 17). Alice shows her fear towards that of the Native blood, unlike her sister Cora, Alice struggles with others more. She is afraid and a symbol of the people that are not always shown in Coopers novel.As she continues to look at him, an indescribable look of pity, admiration, and horror as her dark eye followed the easy motions of the savage.(Cooper 17). She represents the way many of the other women of the time felt uneasy and unsure of these people of any different race. Alices background is why she is chosen to represent the white population, since she is of pure blood. Throughout this novel the other Americans are shown as treating the Natives with little respect because of racism, believing that with their possessions such as their clothes, weapons, and education they are to be held to a higher standard and supreme to the Natives that surround them.In The Last of the Mohicans Cooper begins a trend with the creation of Hawkey e and Chingachgooks relationship a prototype for Ishmael and Queequeg, Huck and Jim, The Lone Ranger and Tonto (Burt 1). Hawkeye and Chingachgook have a stark, stripped human relationship of two men, deeper then the deeps of sex. (Burt 1). Cooper shows just how deep of a friendship these two men can have looking past all of the racial boundaries that are in position from the surrounding society. scorn the way interracial relations between the civilized and the savage were looked down upon Hawkeye and Chingachgooks relationship continues without any such interference. Cooper makes the relationship important specially in the times of need, during the battle scenes and while they complete acts that make it clear that Hawkeye and his group are the protagonists of the story. This is a strong and deep connection between the two men making a statement for the time period, in which the story is set in.The constant reoccurrence of Hawkeye and Chingachgooks relationship as friends in the Coo pers novel shows the power of this symbol. The two men constantly look out for one anothers well being, Chingachgook gives Hawkeye information and reassures him his ear shall drink no lie. (Cooper 32) simply because they are friends. As the book continues the two men and the bond that is between them is proven to be deeper then the expectation of the average American community of the time. Through their dangerous journey they stumble upon much conflict, yet instead of burdening their friendship, it only builds their relationship as friends. Without one another they would have not make their journey through the forest protecting the young women as they did. Despite the thoughts of the Americans their relationship made things better rather than if they had not sought help from their friendship. split of Coopers novel The last of the Mohicans derives its power from exploring threats to racial purity. Uncas and Cora deviants from the white norm threaten to cross radical lines and must b e killed. (Burt 3). Whereas Heyward and Alice are bring out to marry and reproduce, (Scalia 2) because unlike Cora and Uncas are following the white norm. Cooper sends the message that interracial romance and love is predestined for failure. Cora and Maguas relationship is awkward despite Coras initial attraction towards the Indian. Cora and Uncas relationship ends in the terrible tragedy of death, because of her refusal to marry Magua. Cooper also suggests it is Coras dark blood that accounts for her boldness explanation for the mutual yet sublimated attraction of both Cora and Uncas. (Blakemore 43). Blakemore explains that their relationship contained mutual feelings towards each other even though their relationship is considered unacceptable.From the beginning of the novel the element of interracial coupling is there because of Coras mother being of a different race. Although the element is there Cooper also implies that these relationships are hopeless, for example when Magua and Coras relationship is uncomfortable and unnatural. Listen said the Indian, laying his hand heartyly upon her arm as if willing to draw her utmost attention to his words a movement that Cora as firmly but quietly repulsed by extracting the limb from his grasp. (Cooper 121).Cora does not let Magua touch her despite his efforts to keep her under his control. Where like Magua and Coras relationship is a failure so is Uncas and Coras because it ends in tragedy of each characters death. Magua recoiled a step and one of his assistants, profiting by the chance, sheathed his own poke in the bosom of Cora. (Cooper 413). Cora is killed before her and Uncas are allowed to love one another fully. Although this relationship is considered improper their desire for one another is still persistently shown throughout the novel.In conclusion, James Fennimore Coopers novel The Last of the Mohicans is a powerful novel filled with many different issues involving interracial tribulations. Using som e of the main characters Cooper is able to show how white Americans would treat the Native Americans negatively. Cooper also keeps in mind the different type of relationship that is built between Chingachgook and Hawkeye, which happens to be deep and strong. Also, the romantic aspect of relationships that is represented in The Last of the Mohicans is clearly shown to be an impossible happening for the characters.The Last of the Mohicans shows the importance of race in the early American community and how treatment towards those who are different is shown, yet despite the fact that interracial friendship is frowned upon Hawkeye and Chingachgook keep a firm grip upon their friendship a final theme is the troubles that form between when two of different races are to fall in love. Cooper does a pleasing job showing each of his interracial interaction points clearly in his novel.Work CitedBlakemore, Steven. Without a Cross The Cultural Significance of the Sublime and Beautiful in Cooper s The Last of the Mohicans. Jstor.org. University of California Press. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. Burt, Daniel S. The Last of the Mohicans. The Novel 100 A Ranking of the Most Influential Novels of All Time, Revised Edition. New York Chelsea House Publishing, 2010. skin rashsLiterary Reference Online. Facts on File, Inc. 20 Jan. 2012. Cooper, James Fennimore. The Last of the Mohicans A Narrative of 1757. New York New American Library, 1962. Print Rinne, Craig. White accost and American Indian Action in Hollywoods The Last of the Mohicans. Jstor.org. University of Nebraska Press. Web. 20 Jan. 2012 Scalia, Bill. The Last of the Mohicans. In Werlock, Abby H.P., ed. The Facts on File Companion to the American Novel. New York Facts on File, Inc., 2006. Blooms Literary Reference Online. Facts on File, Inc. 20 Jan. 2012