Jerry's+Essays

Mr. Glisch English 11 03/18/08

__ The Last of the Mohicans __ Assessment

Below are five essay topics dealing with the book __Last of the Mohicans__, by James Fenimore Cooper. You **must choose three** of the five essays to write on. Each essay should be **typed, double spaced, 12 point font, and one page in length**. It is important that you include an **introductory paragraph, at least two body paragraphs, and a conclusion**.


 * Each essay is worth 20 points.**


 * Be sure to use references from the book in order to back up your reasoning.**

1. In the book, a lot of the Indian characters seem either entirely good (Uncas and Chingachgook) or entirely evil (Magua and most of the Hurons). Are there any believable Indian characters in the book? Is Cooper guilty of creating racial stereotypes with these characters?

2. The nineteenth-century language in the book can appear as cumbersome and elaborate to a lot of people. Do you feel that this language is an important part of the book? Does this language interfere with the progression and interest of the novel? Why or why not?

3. How does Cooper weave into the story historical events? Of these actual events, which do you believe is most critical to the story? Why? What portion of the book do you believe is fictional?

4. Hawkeye seems, at times, to be some sort of super hero or mythical character. Does Cooper successfully balance this with a human side to Hawkeye? Why or why not? How would you portray Hawkeye in order to enhance his realistic human side?

5. After watching the 1992 movie adaptation in class, what changes can you point out that either weren’t in the book or weren’t in the movie? Why do you think that these changes were made, whether the changes were things being left out or added?

// GOOD LUCK!! //