Cooper Fenimore. The last of the Mohicans. Cooper Fenimore Summary of The Last of the Mohicans by Chapter

The Last of the Mohicans, or A Narrative of 1757 is the second novel in James Fenimore Cooper's Leather Stocking pentalogy. In it, the hunter Nathaniel Bumpo, nicknamed Hawkeye, will go along with his friends from the Mohican tribe Chingachgook and Uncas on a dangerous hike through the northern forests. They will be blocked by natural elements, wild animals and ruthless enemies. However, the heroes will not be afraid of obstacles for the sake of a noble goal - the salvation of the beautiful daughters of Colonel Munro.

The Last of the Mohicans was published in 1926, becoming the second in terms of writing and internal chronology of the cycle. The plot is preceded by the events of the novel "St. John's wort, or the First Warpath". True, the first part of the pentalogy was created much later - in 1841.

"The Last of the Mohicans" is one of Cooper's most popular works, describing the historical events of the territorial expansion of America and the tragic fate of the indigenous population of the continent.

Colorful pictures of the virgin northern nature, original romantic images of the main characters, acute problems, heroic pathos and a dynamic adventure plot have repeatedly inspired talented fans of Cooper's work to artistic adaptations. The novel was filmed by directors in the USA, Canada, France and Germany. Michael Mann's film of the same name, filmed in 1992, was recognized as the most worthy film version. The project stars Daniel Day-Lewis (Nathaniel Bumpo/Hawkeye), Madeline Stowe (Cora Munro) and Russell Means (Chingachgook).

Synthesizing the American romantic tradition of the first decades of the twentieth century, Fenimore Cooper wrote a work unique in its kind. The prose writer became the founder of a new myth about the native American, created the archetypal image of the so-called "noble savage" and outlined the genre guidelines of the western.

1757. The height of the Franco-English confrontation. The coastal territory of the Hudson and neighboring lakes became an arena for bloody battles. As usual, not only soldiers, but also civilians became their victims. Entire Indian tribes were wiped off the face of the earth, and those units that survived either hid in the dense forests or went over to the side of one of the colonialists.

Allied Indians posed a terrible danger to peaceful settlers. Deprived of home and families, driven from the graves of their fathers, these wild avengers dealt with the white strangers with all the cruelty that their broken hearts were capable of. Soon, the inhabitants of the American frontier (the border between developed and undeveloped territories) shuddered at every rustle coming from the forest. The image of the red man became their nightmare, a ghost in the flesh, their ruthless judge and executioner.

During this turbulent time, the daughters of Colonel Munro - Cora and Alice - decided to visit their parent in the besieged English Fort William Henry, which was located on Lake Lane George in the province of New York. To shorten the path, the girls, accompanied by Major Duncan Hayward and an absent-minded music teacher, separated from the military detachment and turned onto a secret forest path. It was volunteered to be shown by an Indian walker Magua, nicknamed the Sly Fox. Magua, from the allied Mohawk tribe, assured travelers that along the forest path they would reach the fort in a few hours, while along the main road they would have an exhausting journey, lasting a day.

Cora and Alice look suspiciously at the silent guide, who only throws curt glances from under his brows and peers into the thick of the forest. Hayward also has doubts, but the appearance of a clumsy music teacher, who hurries to William Henry, defuses the situation. Under girlish laughter and songs, a small detachment turns onto a fatal forest path.

Meanwhile, on the bank of a fast-flowing forest stream, the white-skinned hunter Nathaniel Bumpo, nicknamed Hawkeye, was having a leisurely conversation with his friend, the Indian Chingachgook, the Great Serpent. The body of the savage was covered with black and white paint, which gave him a frightening resemblance to a skeleton. His clean-shaven head was adorned with a single ponytail with a large feather. Chingachguk told the hunter the history of his people from the bright times, when his forefathers lived in peace and prosperity, and until the dark hour, when they were driven out by pale-faced people. Now there is no trace of the former greatness of the Mohicans. They are forced to lurk in forest caves and wage a miserable struggle for survival.

Soon the young Indian Uncas, nicknamed Swift Deer, the son of Chingachgook, joins the friends. The Trinity organizes a hunt, but the planned meal is interrupted by the clatter of horse hooves. Bumpo does not recognize him among the forest sounds, but the wise Chingachgook immediately falls to the ground and reports that several horsemen are riding. These are white people.

By the river, in fact, a small company appears: a military, clumsy man on an old horse, two charming young ladies and an Indian. These are the daughters of Colonel Munro with their attendants. Travelers are quite worried - not long before sunset, and the end of the forest is not in sight. It seems that their guide has gone astray.

Hawkeye immediately questions Magua's honesty. At this time of the year, when the rivers and lakes are full of water, when the moss on every stone and tree announces the future location of the star, the Indian simply cannot get lost in the forest. Who is your guide? Hayward reports that Magua is mohoh. More precisely, the Huron adopted by the Mohoh tribe. "Huron? - exclaims the hunter and his red-skinned companions, - This is a treacherous, thieving tribe. The Huron will remain a Huron, no matter who takes him in... He will always be a coward and a vagabond... You just have to be surprised that he has not yet made you stumble upon a whole gang.

Hawkeye is about to shoot the deceitful Huron immediately, but Hayward stops him. He wants to personally capture the walker in a more humane way. His plan fails. The cunning Fox manages to hide in the thicket of the forest. Now the travelers need to leave the dangerous path as quickly as possible. The traitor, most likely, will bring on them a warlike gang of Iroquois, from whom there is no escape.

Hawkeye leads the young ladies and their escorts to a rocky island - one of the secret hideouts of the Mohicans. Here the company plans to stay for the night in order to leave for William Henry in the morning.

The beauty of the young blond Alice and the older dark-haired Cora does not go unnoticed. Most fascinated by the young Uncas. He literally does not leave Cora, giving the girl various signs of attention.

However, exhausted travelers were not destined to rest in a stone shelter. Ambush! The Iroquois, led by Sly Fox, still managed to track down the fugitives. Hawkeye, Chingachgook and Uncas are forced to race for help while the Munro daughters are captured.

Cora and Alice are now in the hands of the Sly Fox. It turns out that in this way the Indian is trying to settle personal scores with Colonel Munro. Many years ago, he ordered Magua to be whipped for drunkenness. He held a grudge and waited a long time for the right time to pay. Finally, the hour has come. He wants to marry the elder Cora, but receives a decisive refusal. Then the enraged Magua will burn his captives alive. When the bonfire has already been laid out, Hawkeye is in time with help. The Hurons are defeated, Magua is shot dead, the beautiful captives are released and go with their companions to the fort to their father.

At this time, the French occupy William Henry. The British, including Colonel Munro and his daughters, are forced to leave the fort. On the way, the wagon train overtakes a warlike tribe from Magua. It turns out that the Indian only pretended to be dead in a fight on a stone island. He kidnaps Cora and Alice again. The Sly Fox sends the first to the Delawares, and takes the second with him to the lands of the Hurons.

In love with Alice, Hayward rushes to save the honor of the captive, and Uncas rushes to rescue the adored Cora. Through a cunning plan involving Hawkeye, the Major steals Alice from the tribe. Swift Deer, unfortunately, fails to save Cora. The cunning Fox is once again one step ahead.

Uncas, by this point already the paramount chief of the Delawares, follows on the heels of the kidnapper. The Delaware, who buried their tomahawks years ago, are back on the warpath. In the decisive battle, they defeat the Hurons. Realizing that the outcome of the battle is a foregone conclusion, Magua takes out a dagger, intending to stab Cora. Uncas rushes to the defense of his beloved, but is a few moments late. The vixen's treacherous blade pierces Uncas and Cora. The villain does not triumph for long - he is immediately overtaken by a bullet from Hawkeye.

They bury young Koru and Uncas, the Swift Deer. Chingachgook is inconsolable. He was left alone, an orphan in this world, the last of the Mohicans. But no! The Great Serpent is not alone. He has a faithful comrade who is standing next to him at this bitter moment. Let his companion have a different skin color, a different homeland, culture, and lullabies were sung to him in a strange, incomprehensible language. But he will be nearby, no matter what happens, because he is also an orphan, lost in the border zone of the Old and New Worlds. And his name is Nathaniel Bumpo, and his nickname is Hawkeye.

People of the World: Nathaniel Bumpo, Chingachgook

The novel "The Last of the Mohicans" stands out among the romantic works of Indian themes. Cooper, who grew up on the frontier of New York State, was an eyewitness to a social phenomenon called "pioneerism." That is why he was able to subtly feel the discord between the noble ideas of the discoverers and the harsh reality.

The heroes of his novel, in the best traditions of romanticism, are divided into positive and negative. However, this division is not carried out on a racial basis; the basis for differentiation is the personal qualities and actions of a person. There are villains among the Indians as well as among the whites (on the one hand, the Hurons, the Sly Fox, on the other, the ruthless French and English colonialists).

Fundamentally important for the collapse of racial theory are the collective image of the brave Mohicans, Delawares and the central characters Chingachgook and his son Uncas. The Indians in the image of Cooper not only are not inferior to civilized whites, but also surpass them in wisdom, dexterity, the ability to live in unity with nature and read its signs.

An example to follow

The author's ideal is the protagonist of the pentalogy, Nathaniel Bumpo, who appears in the Mohicans under the name Hawkeye. This is a borderline image that has absorbed the best features of the Indians and whites. Bampo is a harmonious combination of nature and civilization, the bearer of such rare qualities as simplicity, selflessness, justice, honesty, valor, and spiritual power.

Chingachgook and Bumpo make the perfect heroic couple. They learn from each other, argue, but know how to listen. And most importantly, they go beyond the boundaries of racial prejudice and become people of the world. It is they, and not those who live in cities and boast of the latest discoveries of technology, that should be considered representatives of a civilized democratic society.

Fortunately, in the evening the travelers met Hawkeye - this name was already firmly entrenched in St. John's Wort - and not alone, but with Chingachgook and Uncas. An Indian who got lost in the woods during the day?! Hawkeye was more alert than Duncan. He offers the major to grab the guide, but the Indian manages to sneak away. Now no one doubts the betrayal of the Indian Magua. With the help of Chingachgook and his son Uncas, Hawkeye ferries travelers to a small rocky island.

In the continuation of a modest dinner, Uncas "provides Cora and Alice all the services that were in his power." It is noticeable that he pays more attention to Cora than to her sister. However, the danger has not yet passed. Attracted by the loud snoring of horses frightened by wolves, the Indians find their refuge. A shootout ensues, then it comes to hand-to-hand combat. The first onslaught of the Hurons is repelled, but the besieged have run out of ammunition. Salvation is only in flight. It is necessary to swim at night, along the rapids and cold mountain river. Cora urges Hawkeye to run away with Chingachgook and bring help soon. The Major and the sisters end up in the hands of Magua and the Indians.

The kidnappers and captives stop on the hill to rest. Cunning Fox reveals to Kore the target of the kidnapping. It turns out that her father, Colonel Munro, once severely insulted him, ordering him to be whipped for drinking. And now, in revenge, he will marry his daughter. Kora is outraged. And then Magua decides to brutally deal with the prisoners. The sisters and the major are tied to trees, brushwood is laid out nearby for a fire. The Indian persuades Cora to agree, to take pity on her sister, who is very young, almost a child. But Alice, having learned about Magua's intention, prefers a painful death.

An enraged Magua throws a tomahawk. The hatchet plunges into the tree, pinning the girl's lush blond hair. The major breaks free of his bonds and rushes at one of the Indians. Duncan is almost defeated, but a shot is fired and the Indian falls. This arrived in time Hawkeye and his friends. After a short battle, the enemies are defeated. Magua, pretending to be dead and seizing the moment, runs again.

Dangerous wanderings end happily - the travelers reach the fort. Under the cover of fog, despite the French besieging the fort, they manage to get inside. The father finally saw his daughters, but the joy of the meeting was overshadowed by the fact that the defenders of the fort were forced to surrender, however, on honorable conditions for the British: the defeated retain their banners, weapons and can freely retreat to their own.

At dawn, burdened with the wounded, as well as children and women, the garrison leaves the fort. Nearby, in a narrow wooded gorge, Indians attack the wagon train. Magua kidnaps Alice and Cora again.

On the third day after this tragedy, Colonel Munro, along with Major Duncan, Hawkeye, Chingachgook and Uncas, inspect the site of the massacre. From barely noticeable traces, Uncas concludes: the girls are alive - they are in captivity. Moreover, by continuing the inspection, the Mohican reveals the name of their captor - Magua! After conferring, the friends set off on an extremely dangerous journey: to the homeland of the Sly Fox, to the Hurons.

Here they meet the psalmist David, who, having a reputation as an imbecile, voluntarily followed the girls. From David, the colonel learns about the situation of his daughters: he left Alice Magua with him, and sent Cora to the Delawares. Duncan, who is in love with Alice, wants to get into the village by all means. Pretending to be a fool, with the help of Hawkeye and Chingachgook, changing his appearance, he goes on reconnaissance. In the Huron camp, he pretends to be a French doctor, and the Hurons allow him, like David, to go everywhere. To Duncan's dismay, the captive Uncas is brought to the village. At first, the Hurons take him for an ordinary prisoner, but Magua appears and recognizes the Swift Deer. The hated name arouses such wrath of the Hurons that if it were not for the Sly Fox, the young man would have been torn to pieces on the spot. Magua convinces the tribesmen to postpone the execution until the morning. Uncas is taken to a separate hut. The father of a sick Indian woman turns to the doctor Duncan for help. He goes to the cave where the sick woman lies, accompanied by the girl's father and a tame bear. Duncan asks everyone to leave the cave. The Indians obey the demand of the "healer" and go out, leaving the bear in the cave. The bear is transforming - Hawkeye is hiding under the animal skin! The trick succeeds - the fugitives safely reach the forest. At the edge of the forest, Hawkeye shows Duncan the path leading to the Delawares and returns to free Uncas. With the help of David, he deceives the warriors guarding the Swift Deer and hides with the Mohican in the forest. An enraged Magua, who is found in a cave and freed from his bonds, calls on his fellow tribesmen for revenge.

The next morning, at the head of a strong military detachment, the Sly Fox sets off for the Delawares. Having hidden the detachment in the forest, Magua enters the village. He appeals to the affairs of the Avar leaders, demanding to extradite the captives. Deceived by the eloquence of the Cunning Fox, the leaders agreed, but after the intervention of Kora, it turns out that in reality only she is the prisoner of Magua - all the others freed themselves. Colonel Munro offers a rich ransom for Cora, but the Indian refuses. Uncas, who unexpectedly became the supreme leader, is forced to release Magua along with the captive. At parting, Sly Fox is warned: after enough time has passed for flight, the Delawares will set foot on the warpath.

Soon, military operations, thanks to the able leadership of Uncas, bring a decisive victory to the Delawares. The Hurons are broken. Magua, having captured Cora, flees. Swift Deer pursues the enemy. Realizing that they cannot escape, the last of the surviving companions of the Sly Fox raises a knife over Kora. Uncas, seeing that he might not be in time, throws himself from the cliff between the girl and the Indian, but, stunned by the fall, loses consciousness. Huron kills Cora. Swift-footed Deer manages to slay the killer, but Magua, seizing the moment, plunges a knife into the young man's back and takes off running. A shot sounds - Hawkeye is paying off the villain.

Orphaned people, orphaned fathers, solemn farewell. The Delawares had just lost their newly acquired leader - the last of the Mohicans (sagamore); but one leader will be replaced by another; the colonel had a younger daughter; Chingachgook lost everything. And only Hawkeye, turning to the Great Serpent, finds words of consolation: “No, sagamore, you are not alone! We may be different in skin color, but we are destined to follow the same path. I have no relatives, and I can say, like you, I don’t have my own people.

In the wars between the British and French for the possession of American lands (1755-1763), opponents more than once used the civil strife of the Indian tribes. The times were hard and cruel. Danger lurked at every turn. And it is not surprising that the girls who were traveling, accompanied by Major Duncan Hayward to the commander of the besieged fort, were worried. Alice and Cora were especially worried - that was the name of the sisters - the Magua Indian, nicknamed the Sly Fox. He volunteered to lead them along a supposedly safe forest path. Duncan calmed the girls, although he himself began to worry: are they really lost? Fortunately, in the evening the travelers met Hawkeye - this name was already firmly entrenched in St. John's wort - and not alone, but with Chingachgook and Uncas. An Indian who got lost in the woods during the day?! Hawkeye was more alert than Duncan. He offers the major to grab the guide, but the Indian manages to sneak away. Now no one doubts the betrayal of the Indian Magua. With the help of Chingachgook and his son Uncas, Hawkeye ferries travelers to a small rocky island. In continuation of a modest dinner, "Uncas renders Cora and Alice all the services that were in his power." Noticeably - he pays more attention to Cora than to her sister. However, the danger has not yet passed. Attracted by the loud wheezing of horses frightened by wolves, the Indians find their refuge. Skirmish, then hand-to-hand. The first onslaught of the Hurons is repelled, but the besieged have run out of ammunition. Salvation is only in flight - unbearable, alas, for girls. It is necessary to swim at night, along the rapids and cold mountain river. Cora urges Hawkeye to run with Chingachgook and get help as soon as possible. Longer than other hunters, she has to convince Uncas: the Major and the sisters are in the hands of Magua and his friends. The kidnappers and captives stop on the hill to rest. Cunning Fox reveals to Kore the target of the kidnapping. It turns out that her father, Colonel Munro, once severely insulted him, ordering him to be whipped for drinking. And now, in revenge, he will marry his daughter. Cora angrily refuses. And then Magua decides to brutally deal with the prisoners. The sisters and the major are tied to trees, brushwood is laid out nearby for a fire. The Indian persuades Cora to agree, at least to pity her sister, who is very young, almost a child. But Alice, having learned about Magua's intention, prefers a painful death. An enraged Magua throws a tomohawk. The hatchet plunges into the tree, pinning the girl's lush blond hair. The major breaks free of his bonds and rushes at one of the Indians. Duncan is almost defeated, but a shot is fired and the Indian falls. This arrived in time Hawkeye and his friends. After a short battle, the enemies are defeated. Magua, pretending to be dead and seizing the moment, runs again. Dangerous wanderings end happily - the travelers reach the fort. Under the cover of fog, despite the French besieging the fort, they manage to get inside. The father finally saw his daughters, but the joy of the meeting was overshadowed by the fact that the defenders of the fort were forced to surrender, however, on honorable conditions for the British: the defeated retain their banners, weapons and can freely retreat to their own. At dawn, burdened with the wounded, as well as children and women, the garrison leaves the fort. Nearby, in a narrow wooded gorge, Indians attack the wagon train. Magua kidnaps Alice and Cora again. On the third day after this tragedy, Colonel Munro, along with Major Duncan, Hawkeye, Chingachgook and Uncas, inspect the site of the massacre. From barely noticeable traces, Uncas concludes: the girls are alive - they are in captivity. Moreover, by continuing the inspection, the Mohican reveals the name of their captor - Magua! After conferring, friends set off on an extremely dangerous journey: to the homeland of the Sly Fox, to areas inhabited mainly by the Hurons. With adventures, losing and finding traces again, the pursuers finally find themselves near the village of the Hurons. Here they meet the psalmist David, who, having a reputation as an imbecile, voluntarily followed the girls. From David, the colonel learns about the situation of his daughters: he left Alice Magua with him, and sent Cora to the Delawares living in the neighborhood, on the lands of the Hurons. Duncan, who is in love with Alice, wants to get into the village by all means. Pretending to be a fool, changing his appearance with the help of Hawkeye and Chingachgook, he goes on reconnaissance. In the Huron camp, he pretends to be a French doctor, and he, like David, is allowed to go everywhere by the Hurons. To Duncan's dismay, the captive Uncas is brought to the village. At first, the Hurons take him for an ordinary prisoner, but Magua appears and recognizes the Swift Deer. The hated name arouses such wrath of the Hurons that, if not for the Sly Fox, the young man would have been torn to pieces on the spot. Magua convinces the tribesmen to postpone the execution until the morning. Uncas is taken to a separate hut. The father of a sick Indian woman turns to the doctor Duncan for help. He goes to the cave where the sick woman lies, accompanied by the girl's father and a tame bear. Duncan asks everyone to leave the cave. The Indians obey the demand of the "healer" and go out, leaving the bear in the cave. The bear is transforming - Hawkeye is hiding under the animal skin! With the help of a hunter, Duncan discovers Alice hidden in a cave - but then Magua appears. The sly Fox triumphs. But not for long. The "bear" grabs the Indian and squeezes him in an iron embrace, the major ties the hands of the villain. But from the excitement experienced, Alice cannot take a single step. The girl is wrapped in Indian clothes, and Duncan - accompanied by a "bear" - takes her outside. Otiu, the sick self-styled "healer", referring to the power of the Evil Spirit, orders to stay and guard the exit from the cave. The trick succeeds - the fugitives safely reach the forest. At the edge of the forest, Hawkeye shows Duncan the path leading to the Delawares and returns to free Uncas. With the help of David, he deceives the warriors guarding the Swift Deer and hides with the Mohican in the forest. An enraged Magua, who is found in a cave and freed from his bonds, calls on his fellow tribesmen for revenge. The next morning, at the head of a strong military detachment, the Sly Fox sets off for the Delawares. Having hidden the detachment in the forest, Magua enters the village. He appeals to the Delaware leaders, demanding to hand over the captives. The leaders, deceived by the eloquence of the Cunning Fox, agreed, but after the intervention of Kora, it turns out that in reality only she is the prisoner of Magua - all the rest freed themselves. Colonel Munro offers a rich ransom for Cora - the Indian refuses. Uncas, who unexpectedly became the supreme leader, is forced to release Magua along with the captive. At parting, Sly Fox is warned: after enough time has passed for flight, the Delawares will set foot on the warpath. Soon, military operations, thanks to the able leadership of Uncas, bring a decisive victory to the Delawares. The Hurons are broken. Magua, having captured Cora, flees. Swift Deer pursues the enemy. Realizing that they cannot escape, the last of the surviving companions of the Sly Fox raises a knife over Kora. Uncas, seeing that he might not be in time, throws himself from the cliff between the girl and the Indian, but falls and loses consciousness. Huron kills Cora. Swift-footed Deer manages to slay the killer, but Magua, seizing the moment, plunges a knife into the young man's back and takes off running. A shot sounds - Hawkeye pays off with the villain. Orphaned people, orphaned fathers, solemn farewell. The Delaware have just lost their newly acquired leader - the last of the Mohicans (sagamore), but one leader will be replaced by another; the colonel had a younger daughter; Chingachgook lost everything. And only Hawkeye, turning to the Great Serpent, finds words of consolation: “No, sagamore, you are not alone! We may be different in skin color, but we are destined to follow the same path. I have no relatives and I can say, like you, I don’t have my own people.

A novel not to be missed! He became a favorite for generations. Young people were equal to the heroes of this work, people at a more mature age also tried to do this. This is an adventure story with a certain spirit of adventurism. But there is also a tragedy in it, which cannot be read about without tears in the eyes. The death of Uncas reflects the dramatic fate of the indigenous population of America - the brave Indians, who were taken not only shelter, but also life.

The novel "The Last of the Mohicans", a summary of which is familiar to everyone from many films and cartoons, is the most popular creation. Written by the author in 1826, it is included in a cycle of five works with a common hero - Natty Bumpo or Leather Stocking. The whole cycle describes the character's life from early youth to old age. And before his eyes, the New World is turning from an almost deserted (with the exception of the red-skinned tribes) corner of the earth into a lively place. However, this process was not entirely positive: many good people also disappeared into oblivion, dying during the battle.

The end of wild, practically undeveloped America and describes the "Last of the Mohicans". The content of the novel is a cruel deforestation of virgin forests, violence against the rightful owners of the land - people who, ironically, were his compatriots. And worst of all, it was he, Natty, who helped them settle down and gain a foothold here.

"The Last of the Mohicans". Summary of the novel

To tell the story briefly, it describes General Munro, who came to the frontier with two beautiful daughters. However, at that time there was a war between the colonialists, in which they dragged the natives. It so happened that Cora and Alice are kidnapped by the Hurons, allies of the French, and Hawkeye (that is, Natty Bumpo), together with friends, are trying to free them. The hero is helped by already familiar Indians Chingachguk and his son Uncas, the last representatives of the Mohican tribe who survived.

The novel "The Last of the Mohicans", the summary of which cannot convey the whole exciting atmosphere, is filled with events. Violent fights, traps, persecution help to reveal the character of the characters, to show their positive and negative traits. All the action takes place in the bosom of amazing nature, which can act as an ally to positive characters. The customs of a civilization that is doomed to destruction are also very vividly described. Therefore, it is better to read the novel "The Last of the Mohicans" in full. The summary will not be able to reflect the depth of feelings that cover Chingachgook and Natty when they see the death of Uncas. The young man, with all his courage and enthusiasm, protects his beloved at the cost of his own life. However, this did not save Cora either - the enraged Magua managed to plunge his dagger into the girl's chest. The work ends with a touching funeral scene, from which the heart shrinks from pain.

What is a novel for contemporaries? An ode to courage, bravery, self-sacrifice. And he also became the beginning of a new genre in the literature and art of America - the western. Therefore, we can safely say that it was Cooper who laid the foundation for the further development of the culture of the American people. "The Last of the Mohicans" is undoubtedly a work that deserves your attention.

In the outbreak of war between France and England for managing the American lands, which took place from 1755 to 1763, the civil strife of various Indian tribes was repeatedly used. It was a truly difficult and cruel time. There were dangers at every step. And the excitement of the girls who went to their father, who was the commander of the besieged fort. Putnitz was accompanied by Major Duncan Hayward. Alice and Cora - that was the name of these two sisters, was worried about the Indian, whose nickname was the Sly Fox, and his name was Magura. He expressed a desire to guide the sisters through the safest path through the forest. Major Duncan encouraged the girls in every possible way, but he himself was overwhelmed with excitement. They probably got a little lost.
By a lucky chance, in the very evening, they met Deerslayer, whose nickname Hawkeye had long been attached to him. He was not alone, but accompanied by Chingachgook and Uncas. Having learned the fact that the Indian got lost in the forest, and even in the daytime, Deerslayer was perplexed exactly like Duncan. They decide to quickly grab the negligent conductor, but he manages to escape at the last moment. Now there was no longer any doubt about the dishonesty of the Indian Magura. With the help of Uncas, the son of Chingachgook, St. John's Wort transports travelers to a small island, sheltered by rocks.
When a modest meal took place, Uncas rendered the sisters special helpfulness and helped them with everything he could. Very noticeable is the fact that he pays much more attention to Kora than to her sweet sister. There was another danger on their way. By the wheezing of frightened horses, the Indians quickly find their shelter. There is a shootout and hand-to-hand combat. The heroes managed to repel the first enemy attack, but they quickly run out of ammo. It remains only to run, but the girls succeed with particular difficulty. You need to quickly swim away along the cold rapids river. Cora manages to talk Deerslayer into leaving them and returning with reinforcements. She has to convince Uncas the longest. The two sisters and the major are captured by Magur and his accomplices.
The kidnappers, along with their prisoners, make a halt to rest. The cunning Fox reveals to Kore the kidnapping plan. Colonel Munro, being the father of two sisters, severely offended the honor of an Indian when he ordered him to be flogged for one of his drinking sessions. In retaliation, Magura decides to marry one of his daughters. Kora with great indignation goes to refuse. The cunning Fox, enraged by this decision, decides to brutally deal with his captives. The Major and the sisters are tied to a tree. Next to him, the enemies are laying out firewood to kindle a fire. The Indian tries to persuade Cora and feel sorry for his sister, who was almost a child. Alice chose a painful death.
Magura, pretty furious, throws a tomahawk at the prisoners. The weapon plunges deep into the tree, hitting the girl's blond curls. The major manages to escape from captivity and attack one of Magur's accomplices. Duncan is nearly killed when a gunshot rings out. The Indian attacked by the major falls dead. Hawkeye and his friends managed to make it in time. After a short battle, all enemies are defeated, but Magura, using his cunning, runs away again.
Dangerous journey ends quite safely. Travelers whole and without much loss of health get to the fort. Quite a strong fog accompanies them in a safe penetration into the territory of the fort itself, bypassing the French besieging it. The father is very happy at the sight of his beloved daughters. The meeting is overshadowed by the fact that all the people defending the fort decide to surrender, albeit on honorable terms. They have the right to keep the remaining weapons stock, their banner and proceed to their own without any obstacles.
The garrison with all the surviving staff leaves the fort at dawn. The wagon train is attacked by a group of Indians in a narrow gorge. Magura manages to kidnap Cora and Alice again.
Only on the third day, the unfortunate Colonel Munro, in company with Duncan, St. John's Wort, Uncas and Chingachgook, manages to inspect the place of the massacre in the smallest detail. Uncas, paying attention to subtle traces, claims that the girls managed to survive, but they are captured. In addition, the Mohican even managed to establish the name of the kidnapper - Magura. Brave hunters decide to please the cunning Indian with their visit right in his homeland. Their final destination was the places inhabited by the Hurons. Following inconspicuous tracks, experiencing all the dangers of the path, the friends first find, then again lose the road, following which they find themselves close to the place where the Hurons settled.
Here there is a meeting with David - the psalmist, who used his reputation as an underdeveloped person in his mind, followed the kidnapped girls. David tells the colonel about the current situation of the two sisters. Kor was sent to the Delevares, who live next door to the Hurons. Alice Magura decides to keep with him. Duncan, in love with Alice, wants with all his heart to penetrate the settlement. With the help of Chingachgook and Hawkeye, he pretends to be a fool and changes his appearance. So it will be safer for him to go on reconnaissance. In the settlement, he pretends to be a French doctor. The Hurons allow him to roam everywhere in the village. Soon they bring Uncas, who has been captured by them. At first, he is considered an ordinary prisoner, but when Magura saw him, everyone recognized him as the Swift Deer. This name caused great rage among the entire population. If not for the assistance of the Sly Fox, the young man would have been cut into pieces. Magura convinces his fellow tribesmen to wait until the morning with the execution. Uncas is thrown into a separate hut. The father of a sick Indian woman turns to Duncan for help. They go to a cave where a girl is fighting a disease. In addition to his father, Duncan is also accompanied by a tame bear. At the request of the healer, everyone leaves the cave. The Indians are forced to obey this demand, but the bear remains in the cave. After they're alone, the bear sheds its skin and transforms into Hawkeye! With his help, Duncan finds Alice in the cave, but Magura overtakes them. The triumph of the Cunning Fox did not last long.
The former bear grabbed the Indian and squeezed him in his stone arms. The Major, meanwhile, ties the hands of the villain. Alice, greatly agitated, cannot even walk. The girl is dressed in Indian clothes and Duncan, accompanied by a "bear", takes her outside. The “healer” convinces the father of the sick girl that the Evil Spirit is still very powerful and orders him to guard the entrance to the cave. To everyone's surprise, the trick turns out to be very successful. The fugitives reach their hiding place safely. Deerslayer shows Duncan the path that will lead to the Delevares, and he returns to rescue Uncas. With David's help, he fools the guards guarding his friend and escapes back into the forest. Magura, upset by his failures, after being freed from his bonds, orders everyone to take revenge.
The cunning Fox, leading a large military detachment, visits the Delawares. Magura enters the village, hiding his detachment in the forest. He puts forward a demand for the leaders to give them captives. Through his skillful oratorical skills, Sly Fox convinces them to make concessions to him. But after Korya intervened, it turned out that only she was the real prisoner. All other people fled voluntarily. The father of two sisters offers to release Cora for a very significant ransom, but the Indian refuses completely. Uncas, who has become the supreme leader, is forced to release the Cunning Fox along with his captive. At parting, Magura warns that when the time comes when he will move to a place sufficient for escape, the Delawares should enter the warpath.
Military operations, thanks to the competent leadership of Uncas, bring a decisive victory to the Delawares. The Hurons are defeated. Magura, taking Cora, flees. Swift Deer is engaged in the pursuit of his opponent. Realizing that the chances of a good outcome are minimal, one of the villain Magura's companions intends to stab Cora. Unicas, seeing that he might not have time to save the girl, rushes between her and the Indian, but after falling, he loses consciousness. Huron killed Cora. Swift Deer cuts down the fighter, but Magura, seizing the moment, plunges a knife into the young man's back. When the cunning Indian runs away, he takes a bullet from him. Thus Hawkeye settles accounts with the evil Indian.
Orphaned fathers. Orphaned people. A solemn but sad farewell. The Delaware hold a farewell ceremony for their chosen leader, the last of the Mohicans. But the colonel has one more daughter left to replace him. Chingachgook counts the losses. Only Hawkeye turns to the Great Serpent and speaks all the words of comfort he can find: “No, sagamore, you are not alone! We may be different in skin color, but we are destined to follow the same path. I have no relatives and I can say, like you, I don’t have my own people.

Please note that this is only a summary of the literary work "The Last of the Mohicans". This summary omits many important points and quotations.