Last of the Mohicans
Epic in literature is used to imply to the poetic story. It can be defined or referred to as the set of actions undertaken by the main character in a story to become a hero. The heroic deeds of the character are normally associated with his or her courage and bravery. For instance, in The Last of the Mohicans, Hawkeye, Uncas, and Chingachgook are the protagonists’ characters in the story. Theses characters are portrayed as loving and caring characters who interacted with both settlers and Native Americans. Bravery and courage of the protagonist character in the play lead to the downfall of not only the Native American tribe but also the downfall of the Indian nation; thus, the story was becoming anti-epic.
The arrival of Europeans in the region lead to various changes that undermined native people. The European were more civilized and advanced and considered themselves to be more superior and the native people as savages and barbaric. Like any other colonist, the Europeans considered native people to be inferior and weak. In addition, they believed that native Americans deserved to be conquered and subjugated and taken over.
In the story, the two cultures presented, that is, the native culture and white culture, conflicts the ideas of both the settlers and native people. These cultures were totally different and could not comprehend the other. Despite the fact there are some alliances made, they did so not because they understood each other because there were benefits associated with the alliances. Even the main character Hawkeye, could not understand both cultures. Hawkeye believed that the white culture was more superior because they were more enlightened with a set of values, Christianity, but he also valued and honored native traditions, customs, and religion. However, the native culture is represented in a less-prejudiced and more favorable manner.
Racism is prevalent, and the multiracial relationship portrayed in the story plays a critical role in the development of the anti-epic story. The Europeans are seen to be reluctant to be associated with native people. Even the idea of Cora marrying Mugua is seen to disgusting to anyone involved. Cora is even put at a disadvantage having black blood, and Hayward considers hers not to be a suitable wife material because of her inherited racial traits or personality. Uncas shows Cora’s love, but Hawkeye scoffs the idea of marriage between Cora and Mugua by saying that they can be together or married in the next life. Cora is aware that society and her family will never accept them as married couples. In addition, it is interesting since marriage or friends between the two cultures is not evidence of extended friendship, as portrayed by Chingachgook, Uncas, and Hawkeye.
European culture influences the native in many ways. For instance, Magua was driven by European because he was introduced to alcohol. Again, the Europeans introduced diseases that spread at an alarming rate across the region. Native Americans were thus unable to cater to the sick, gather food, secure, clean water services, and even maintain their communities. As natives died of the plague, their support system and social structure got crumbled as their leaders died as well as the entire community been destroyed. This went for a long time and destroyed the native culture’s sense of individualism and self-worth.
Conclusion
Anti-epic in this story is clearly portrayed with the downfall of native culture as well as the Indian nation. The two cultures in the story lead to a conflict state, and the Europeans take advantage of the protagonist characters to maneuver their way. The introduction of infection diseases leads to the destruction of the native social system as well as the support system in native land destroy.