When one thinks of the "The Last of the Mohicans" one does not think of the story line behind it; instead the one thing that
comes to mind are Indians running around from the movie. In fact, the last thing that would ever come to mind is that James
Fenimore Cooper wrote a book which the movie was based on. "The Last of the Mohicans" like most of James Fenimore Cooper's
works is said to be one of the greatest literary works of all time. "The Last of the Mohicans" is a novel that goes way beyond
Indians and their traditions and how they differ from that of Americans. It is a story about love and the battles that come
along the way.
A theme in the story "The Last of the Mohicans"is nature. Nature is one of the main themes in the story because it
is what makes and breaks many parts of the story. It threatens the life's of many of the characters. It also makes things
worse for when they attempt to go to war with each other. It is also how we remember the characters. We are introduced to
them in terms of nature hence making us remember them in matters of nature. Also, James Fenimore Cooper used nature as a theme
in his story because nature and Indians are hand in hand.
There are many reoccurring themes in the story one of them is interracial relationships. Not only in the aspect of love does
this theme reoccur but also in the aspect of friendship. Chingachgook and Hawkeye become friends in order to win against the
enemies of Huran. They put aside all their differences in regards to beliefs and heritage and become like one. Another relationship
occurs but this time in matters of love. Cora and Uncas become romantically involved despite their difference in race.
Family is another theme in this story. Family becomes a key theme in terms of survival because they need each other
in order to survive against their rivals. Family in this story is not defined simply by blood related families but also by
tribes and "groups" of people. Again the theme interracial relationship occurs in mix of this theme because different races
come together in order to reach the same goal and help one another.
Another theme in the story is revenge. Revenge keeps occuring throughout the entire story because they keep fighting with
their enemies. We are also told that revenge is a usual thing amongst the indians that it is like a hobby.
One of the more obvious themes is exposure of different cultures. Cultures are exposed throughout the story between both the
whites and the Indians to eachother. Each have different beliefs and in some of the cases not even that is able to keep them
from becoming friends. Many theories about one another are solved.
Themes are something that make
up a story. James Fenimore Cooper uses many of the same themes in all of his stories. Nature is one that keeps happening through
out most of the stories. Since Indians and Nature go hand in hand in this case James Fenimore Cooper uses it.
