The Last of the Mohicans | Quotes

The narrator describes the setting—the French and Indian War in 1757—and communicates to the reader one of the important themes in the novel. The narrator alludes to the clash of French, British, and Native American cultures in the fruitless struggle to gain absolute control over North America.

Cora questions whether the group of travelers should not trust Magua simply because he is not white. Her comment shows she is wise enough to question the prejudices of the day. Her comment prepares the reader for the the themes of racial prejudice and culture clash that will run throughout the novel.

Hawkeye's reference to stealthy Iroquois-speaking Mingoes when referring to the Huron Indian Magua is to be taken to mean a person like Magua will never change and is not to be trusted. This is an example of Hawkeye's own prejudice.

After hearing an eerie cry in the forest, Hawkeye admits he does not know its source. He reassures Cora, however, that he has a finely tuned sense of hearing. As a hunter and scout, Hawkeye relies on his ability to interpret sounds he hears. His boastful remark alludes to the wilderness theme.

Magua's statement conveys how much he despises the whites and how much he desires revenge for the way he has been treated. His threat shows he will never stop trying to avenge himself, even after his enemy is dead.

Gamut is horrified at the sight of the massacre at Fort William Henry and wants to protect Cora from the ghastly scene. His biblical interpretation (devils versus Christians) supports the themes of religion and culture clash.

Hawkeye's comment reveals how he came to be so attached to the Mohicans despite their obvious cultural differences since both he and they are honest people at heart. Because he has lived and fought with the Mohicans, they grew to love one another as brothers.

A Huron warrior is stirred by Magua's impassioned speech and throws a tomahawk at Uncas. Although Uncas narrowly escapes injury, his reaction shows he is dignified and confident.

Gamut takes the place of Uncas in the prison lodge because he is grateful for all the young Mohican has done for him in trying to save him from Magua and the Iroquois. This statement shows how much Gamut has grown since joining the Munro sisters and Heyward.

Magua condemns the greed of white people and warns they are never satisfied with what they have. According to Magua, whites want more and more land "from the shores of the salt water, to the islands of the great lake."

When he speaks to Cora, the aged chief compliments and chastises whites. In response to Cora's plea to let Alice go, Tamenund criticizes whites for acting as if they are better than Native Americans and for being greedy. Tamenund's statement alludes to the themes of culture clash and prejudice.

Tamenund acknowledges Uncas is one of two living chiefs from the Turtle clan. His acknowledgment allows Uncas his freedom and gives him the authority to lead the Delaware into battle but does not afford him the opportunity to win Cora from Magua.

Munro is grateful for the respect with which the Delawares treat his daughter. As Munro showed when he told Heyward about his first wife, he treats people fairly. This comment supports the prejudice theme.

Hawkeye assures Chingachgook that he will not be alone after the death of Uncas. With this statement, Hawkeye reaffirms his loyalty to and friendship with the grieving chief of the Mohicans.

The great Delaware chief speaks at the end of the funerals for Cora and Uncas to signal that it is time to leave. His prophetic words predict a time in the future when Native Americans will prevail once again and evoke the culture clash theme.