Amanda Havlicak: The Last of the Mohicans

I selected The Last of the Mohicans because I found the theme of the American frontier appealing and the adventures it entails. After reading the book, it was easy to understand the mentality towards race and colonization that led to a lot of the historical conflicts in our country that I had a cursory understanding upon skimming my history textbook in eighth grade. It was interesting to see how the American wilderness was romanticized. But the main protagonist, Hawkeye, became the ideal man because he was white was able to learn the ways of the Native Americans and their land. There is admiration for the skills of the Native Americans, but as long as the white man can acquire those skills, the white men still come out as superior and deserving of the land. Overall, I loved the visual descriptions and poetic diction in the story and how it gave context to historical events like the French and Indian War. While the book had its minor flaws, it was a very enjoyable read.