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Essay / The theme of racial inequality in The Last of the Mohicans whether or not to remove the Native Americans from their lands and use them for the expansion of the United States. This whole debate shows that Native Americans did not have the same rights at that time. The novel seems to give some insight into how Cooper feels about the whole ordeal. Cooper believes that all people, regardless of race, are human, but that all races are not equal. The theme of racial inequality between Native Americans and white settlers in The Last of the Mohicans is addressed through the actions and dialogues of Hawkeye, Magua, and Colonel Munro. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The novel's main protagonist, Hawkeye, is a prime character to highlight this particular stance on racial interactions. Hawkeye is friends with two Mohicans, Chingachgook and Uncas, to whom he feels closer than any other person in his life. Yet, constantly throughout the book, he reminds them and other characters that he is “…a real white guy.” Another relevant point is after the funeral, at the end of the book. Colonel Munro wants to thank the girls who helped with the funeral by telling them and tells them that their kindness will be remembered when everyone is united in heaven by God. Hawkeye scoffs at this idea and replies: "Telling them that would be telling them that snow doesn't come in winter...". Both of these situations show that Hawkeye feels that races are not equal, especially when he points out that he is white, as if he has some sort of dominance over others. Additionally, since the races are not equal on Earth, according to Hawkeye, they will not share a single paradise either. Hawkeye is written in a way that shows Cooper doesn't shy away from interracial friendships. However, when the subject of unity or desegregation between the races in Heaven comes up, he considers it a ridiculous idea that should not be suggested. Cooper also promotes "whiteness" as a great honor, through Hawkeye's pride. The main antagonist, Magua, thinks similarly but tends to focus on each race's positions and the weaknesses within them. Magua begins by saying: “Some are blacker than the sloth bear; He (the Great Spirit) said that these would be slaves. And He commanded them to work forever…'” This line represents enslaved Africans, who are used as mere working tools for whatever project is assigned to them. During this same scene, he continues with: "'He made some with faces paler than the ermine of the forests and commanded such to be traders...and appetites to devour the earth... .God has given them enough, and yet he wants them all,” which describes the white settlers. Magua says they were born for trade and travel, but have greedy personalities that made them conquerors. Finally, he ends by speaking of his own race: “'…Made of skins brighter and redder than that sun over there. And this is what He fashioned according to His own spirit. He gave him this island... If they fought... it was to prove that they were men. They were brave...they were happy. » The Native Americans were created to be the chosen people in Magua's history and are the most satisfied with their livelihood. Although Magua is written to be a pro-Red character, Cooper uses him to establish the distinct racial roles he holds to be true. THE, 2019.
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