One of the most well -known works of American literary He is James Fenimor Cooper’s “The Last of the Moicans”. This is the second book of the five -time Leatherstocking Tales series, which narrates the adventures of Nato Babo, also known as the “Forest Hawk”, a white man who grew up with native populations of North America. The last of the Moicans was released on February 4, 1826 by Carey & Lea Publications in Philadelphia USA And immediately it became a great success.
James Cooper’s book is a historical novel outlining the conflict between European settlers and native tribes of North America. Published in a period of important political changes for the US. The country had, about forty years ago, acquired its independence and was in a phase of its power on the American continent and territorial expansion to the west. Inevitably, the spread of the Americans to the west brought in conflict with the indigenous populations, who were trying to resist their expulsion from their territories and to limit their rights. Although he used many romantic and stereotypical representations of America’s indigenous people, Cooper satisfactorily captured the loss of a world that was gradually lost for the American continent in the face of the last of the Indians of Moicans, Unkas.
The book describes the siege of the British fortress William Henry by the French.
The plot of the latter of the Mojans took place in 1757, in the middle of the seven-year war (1756-1763), a conflict between the great colonial forces of Europe, Great Britain and France, which took on world dimensions. Both the French and the British have fed various tribes of North American Indians in order to strengthen their strengths in the region.
The book describes the siege of the British fortress William Henry by the French. The commander of the fortress is Lieutenant Colonel Monroe, who orders Major General Duncan Hayward to accompany Koras and Alice from another British fortress in William Henry Fortress. Their guide is Magua, an Indian of the Hurron tribe, but intends to deliver the girls to the French wanting to avenge their fatherbecause he had once been captured by the British.
However, before Magua manages to execute his plan, the team intersects with Nato Babo a hard -working white hunter, Cigasguk and his son Unkas, the last two members of the Moikan tribe. The three men understand Magua’s real intentions and save the team from confident captivity. Under their guidance, the team arrives safely in the Fortress of William Henry.
The story of the latter of the Mojans has been adapted a few times in plays, television and film productions.
Eventually the French managed to beat the British by forcing the British Colonel Monroe to surrender. It has been recorded that, after the British surrender, the native French allies attacked the departing British soldiers and civilians, holding a large slaughter and capturing many captives. Among them are Kora and Alice, whom Magua took under his protection and led to the land of Houron.
Babo, Cigasguk and Uunkas then take over the desperate and very dangerous mission of the two young women from the hands of Magua. In the final battle, Koras is killed, as is Unkas in his attempt to protect her. Although Magua attempts to escape, Cigasguk takes revenge killing him. The story ends with Cigasguk mourning his sonthe last of the tribe of the Moicans.
The story of the latter of the Mojans has been adapted a few times in plays, in television and film productions. The most well-known is the 1992 film starring British award-winning actor Daniel Day-Luis, starring Babos.
Column: Myrto Katsigera, Vassilis Minakakis, Antigoni-Despina Poumenidou, Athanasios Syroplakis
