Summary
The Last of the Mohicans, published in 1826, is James Fenimore Cooper's most famous and enduring novel. Set during the French and Indian War in 1757, it tells the story of frontiersman Natty Bumppo, known as Hawkeye, and his Mohican companions Chingachgook and Uncas as they attempt to rescue the kidnapped daughters of a British colonel. The novel is the second book in Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales series and helped establish many of the tropes and character archetypes associated with frontier fiction. While modern readers may find some of the portrayals stereotypical or dated, The Last of the Mohicans was groundbreaking for its time in humanizing Native American characters and criticizing aspects of European colonization. The novel has remained widely read for nearly 200 years and is still frequently taught in American literature courses.
Plot
Set in 1757 during the French and Indian War, The Last of the Mohicans follows the dangerous journey of two sisters, Cora and Alice Munro, as they travel through the New York wilderness to reach their father at Fort William Henry. They are escorted by Major Duncan Heyward and guided by a Native American named Magua. Along the way, they encounter Natty Bumppo, a frontiersman better known as Hawkeye, and his two Mohican companions, Chingachgook and his son Uncas.
After discovering that Magua is secretly allied with the French and plans to betray them, Hawkeye and the Mohicans attempt to lead the group to safety. However, Magua manages to capture the sisters and Heyward. Hawkeye and the Mohicans give chase, rescuing the captives and escorting them to Fort William Henry. The fort soon falls to French forces led by General Montcalm, who allows the British to evacuate. But Magua and his Huron warriors ambush the retreating column, capturing Cora and Alice once again.
Hawkeye, Uncas, Chingachgook, and Heyward pursue Magua to rescue the sisters. Their quest takes them to a Huron village and then a Delaware village. Cora is given to Magua, according to tribal custom, while the others are freed. In the climactic battle that follows, Uncas and Cora are killed by Magua, who is in turn slain by Hawkeye. Alice is rescued, but Uncas's death marks the end of the Mohican line.
The novel concludes with the funerals of Uncas and Cora. Chingachgook mourns that he is now truly the “Last of the Mohicans.” Hawkeye reaffirms his friendship with Chingachgook, while Heyward and Alice presumably will marry. The Delaware sage Tamenund prophesies the eventual dominance of European settlers and the decline of Native American peoples in the American frontier.
Themes
Clash of cultures between European settlers and Native Americans
Loss of Native American land and way of life
Interracial romance and relationships
Loyalty and friendship across racial lines
Survival and heroism on the frontier
Conflict between civilization and wilderness
Revenge and its consequences
Setting
James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans is set in 1757 during the French and Indian War, a conflict between Britain and France for control of North America. The story takes place in the wilderness of upstate New York, primarily in the area around Lake George and Fort William Henry. This frontier region was contested territory, with British, French, and Native American forces all vying for control.
The novel's action unfolds against the backdrop of the siege of Fort William Henry by French forces under General Montcalm. Cooper vividly depicts the region’s untamed forests, rugged mountains, and pristine lakes as the characters navigate through treacherous terrain. Key locations include the besieged Fort William Henry on Lake George, the nearby Fort Edward, and various Native American villages.
Cooper portrays this frontier setting as a clash of civilizations, where European colonists, soldiers, and Native American tribes interact in a complex web of alliances. The author’s depiction of the wilderness and its inhabitants reflects the romantic ideals of his time, presenting nature as both beautiful and dangerous. Through this setting, Cooper explores themes of cultural conflict, the closing of the frontier, and the fate of Native Americans in the face of European expansion.
Characters
Natty Bumppo (Hawkeye): A skilled frontiersman and marksman who serves as a scout for the British. He is known for his expert marksmanship with his long rifle. A white man who was raised by Native Americans, Hawkeye acts as a bridge between the two cultures. Brave and resourceful, with a strong moral code, he becomes the main protector and guide for the Munro sisters.
Chingachgook: A Mohican chief and Hawkeye's longtime friend and companion. He is a wise and skilled warrior, deeply connected to nature and his people's traditions. Chingachgook is one of the last of his tribe and fights to protect what remains of his culture. He is a father figure to Uncas and views Hawkeye as a brother.
Uncas: The son of Chingachgook and last of the Mohican bloodline. He is a brave and noble young warrior, skilled in tracking and combat. Uncas develops romantic feelings for Cora Munro during their journey. He represents the idealized “noble savage” and the tragedy of vanishing Native American cultures.
Magua: The primary antagonist, a Huron warrior seeking revenge against Colonel Munro. Magua is cunning, ruthless, and driven by a desire for vengeance after being humiliated by Munro in the past. He is known as “Le Renard Subtil” (The Subtle Fox) for his craftiness. Magua's complex motivations make him a formidable and intriguing villain.
Cora Munro: The dark-haired, older daughter of Colonel Munro. She is brave, intelligent, and composed in the face of danger. Cora is of mixed-race heritage, with a mother of partial African descent. She develops a romantic connection with Uncas during their journey.
Alice Munro: The fair-haired, younger daughter of Colonel Munro. Alice is more delicate and emotional than her sister Cora. She becomes romantically involved with Major Duncan Heyward.
Colonel Munro: The British commander of Fort William Henry and father of Cora and Alice. He is a stubborn but honorable military leader trying to hold out against the French forces.
Major Duncan Heyward: A young British officer tasked with escorting the Munro sisters. Heyward is brave and loyal, but sometimes naive about frontier life. He falls in love with Alice Munro.
David Gamut: A psalmodist (singing teacher) who joins the group. While Gamut provides some comic relief with his awkward attempts at bravery, he ultimately proves useful to the group.
General Montcalm: The French commander besieging Fort William Henry. He is portrayed as an honorable adversary who tries to prevent violence against the British after their surrender.
Tamenund: An ancient and respected Delaware (Lenape) sage. He plays a crucial role in the climactic scenes at the Delaware village.
Quick facts
The Last of the Mohicans, published in 1826, is the second book in James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales series.
The novel is set in 1757 during the French and Indian War in New York.
Cooper wrote the novel in just three to four months during the summer of 1825.
The character of Hawkeye was partly inspired by real-life frontiersman Daniel Boone.
Cooper invented the name “Horican” for Lake George in the novel, based on an old map.
Mark Twain harshly criticized Cooper's writing style in his essay “Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses."
The Last of the Mohicans became one of the first widely-read American novels in Europe.
The novel significantly shaped popular perceptions of Native Americans and frontier life in early America.
The Last of the Mohicans has inspired numerous screen adaptations, including a 1920 silent movie, a 1992 action-adventure film directed by Michael Mann and starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Hawkeye, and a 1971 BBC television serial widely praised for staying faithful to the book.
The novel helped popularize the phrase “the last of the Mohicans” to mean the final member of a dying breed.
About the Author
James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) was one of the most prominent American novelists of the early 19th century. He is best known for his Leatherstocking Tales series, particularly The Last of the Mohicans (1826). His novels helped to establish a distinctly American literature and shape the popular image of Native Americans and frontier life.
Born in New Jersey, Cooper spent much of his youth in Cooperstown, New York, a frontier settlement founded by his father. After a brief stint at Yale and service in the US Navy, he began his literary career in 1820 with his first novel Precaution. He quickly rose to fame with works like The Spy (1821) and The Pioneers (1823), the first of his popular Leatherstocking Tales. His works often featured interactions between European settlers and Native Americans, as well as depictions of maritime adventures drawing from his naval experience.
In the 1830s, Cooper spent several years in Europe, where he wrote on American social and political issues. After returning to the United States, he continued to publish prolifically while becoming embroiled in various legal and political disputes. Despite criticism from some contemporaries, Cooper remained one of the country's most popular authors until his death. His influence extended well beyond America, with his works admired by European writers like Balzac and Tolstoy. Though critical assessment of his work has varied over time, Cooper’s legacy as one of the first major American novelists endures.
