What is The Last of the Mohicans?

Set in the forests of upstate New York during the French and Indian War, James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel has become one of the most enduring works of early American literature. It helped define the frontier myth, shaped American ideas about Native peoples, and influenced generations of writers, filmmakers, and cultural storytellers. Today, as we mark its 200th anniversary, we explore its themes, its historical context, and its complicated legacy. So in this episode, I’m asking… what is The Last of the Mohicans? ... Special guest for this episode: Professor Thomas Ruys Smith, a scholar of American literature and culture at the University of East Anglia. His work spans the 19th century, with particular expertise in the intersections of literature, history, and national identity. He has written extensively on American storytelling traditions, frontier mythology, and the cultural imagination of the early United States. ... Highlights from this episode: 02:09 - Standing the test of time 06:21 - America's newfound sense of self 10:36 - The story of The Last of the Mohicans 15:40 - Romanticising colonisation 21:23 - What the frontier means for America 27:09 - White male heroes 31:29 - Native American representations 35:57 - National identity isn't just black and white 40:32 - A more colourful America 47:05 - I'm freakin' Hawkeye ... Additional Resources: The Last of the Mohicans — Free eBook https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/940 LitCharts: Themes and Analysis https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-last-of-the-mohicans (litcharts.com in Bing) SparkNotes: Summary and Themes https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mohicans/ Novelguide: Theme Analysis https://novelguide.com/the-last-of-the-mohicans/theme-analysis (novelguide.com in Bing) Montclair State University: Theme PDF https://cyber.montclair.edu/Resources/B2F9F/501012/ThemeOfLastOfTheMohicans.pdf (cyber.montclair.edu in Bing) Encyclopedia Britannica: Cooper Biography https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Fenimore-Cooper (britannica.com in Bing) Library of Congress: Cooper Collection https://www.loc.gov/collections/james-fenimore-cooper/about-this-collection/ (loc.gov in Bing) American Literature: Cooper Overview https://americanliterature.com/author/james-fenimore-cooper (americanliterature.com in Bing) The Cambridge History of American Literature — Cooper chapter https://www.cambridge.org Oxford Bibliographies: James Fenimore Cooper https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com The Cambridge Companion to James Fenimore Cooper https://www.cambridge.org Playing Indian by Philip Deloria (on Native representation) https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780300080674 (hup.harvard.edu in Bing) The Invention of the American West by Richard Slotkin https://www.amazon.com/Regeneration-Through-Violence-Mythology-1600-1860/dp/0806132290 (amazon.com in Bing) National Park Service: French and Indian War Overview https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/french-and-indian-war.htm (nps.gov in Bing) History.com: French and Indian War https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/french-and-indian-war (history.com in Bing) Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA) https://naisa.org Smithsonian NMAI: Native Representation in Literature https://americanindian.si.edu (americanindian.si.edu in Bing) The White Man’s Indian by Robert Berkhofer https://www.amazon.com/White-Mans-Indian-Images-American/dp/0674957867 (amazon.com in Bing) Roger Ebert Review of the 1992 Film https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-last-of-the-mohicans-1992 (rogerebert.com in Bing) The New Yorker: Revisiting the Novel https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/revisiting-the-last-of-the-mohicans (newyorker.com in Bing) BFI: Michael Mann’s Adaptation https://www.bfi.org.uk ... And if you like this episode, you might also love: Who Are Native Americans? How Did Slavery Impact Cherokee Nation? What is Thanksgiving? ... Contact us: [email protected] Join the community: https://www.patreon.com/cw/americathestoryoftheusa - use code USA26 for 50% off your first month Get the newsletter: https://america-the-story-of-the-usa.beehiiv.com/ Brand & advertising enquiries: [email protected] Want to advertise with us and support the American Studies community? Email [email protected] and let's talk.