Last of the Mohicans

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper is one of the classic actions novels in American literature. The book is set during the French and Indian War, and most of the action takes place in the area between Fort Edward and Ticonderoga (the Lake George region).

The book’s heroes are Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Uncas. Hawkeye is an English orphan who was raised by the Mohican Chingachgook. Uncas is Chingachgook’s natural son. They constantly try to protect Alice and Cora Munro from the Huron renegade, Magua. Alice and Cora had been sent to join their father, Col. Munro, who commanded Fort William Henry at the Southern tip of Lake George.

Fort William Henry, however, fell under siege by the French forces under Montcalm. After the British surrendered, the Indian allies of the French massacred many of the survivors. During the massacre, Magua captured Alice and Cora, and is taking them north with him.

As Chapter 20 opens, Hawkeye, Chingachgook, Uncas, Col. Munro, and the British officer Major Hey ward are setting off in pursuit over the dangerous waters of Lake George. The French and Indian forces hold the lake. Danger lurks behind every tree and rock…

Read Chapter 20 of The Last of the Mohicans

Questions for class discussion:

• Could you trace their path on a map of the lake?
• How was the landscape around the characters described?
• Why do you think the characters acted as they did?
• What would you have done differently?
• How do you think the book ends?
• What things or names do you recognize from today? (ie: Camp Chingachgook)

Assignment:

Write a chase scene set on Lake George today. What would be different from two hundred years ago? What might be the same? How would you describe the lake and your path?