Accompanying the title The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, the very last battle scene exposes the destined end of the Mohican race. When Magua plunges his dagger into Uncas for the third time, the questioned moment in regards to the fate of the Mohicans is answered. The tragic death of Uncas leaves Chingachgook as the official last member of the Mohican tribe. As the characters prepare for Uncas’ funeral, a powerful scene is produced when Chingachgook looks upon his dead son for the last time. With this scene, Cooper establishes a powerful message by creating a paradox between the deceased and Uncas and the breathing Chingachgook revealing the death of the Mohicans but the birth of a legacy that will never be forgotten. Beginning …show more content…
The term “indelibly impressed” configures the idea that Chingachgook, as a Mohican, will always be defined by his race. He came with nothing except himself, and yet his existence still emanates the fact that he is Mohican. His race is “indelibly impressed” because nothing can take away the identity/legacy of the Mohicans despite their dying race and no matter what he will always been seen in that light. Furthermore in this description, Chingachgook’s Mohican self being displayed on his “naked bosom” implies a sense of vulnerability. Just like in the first part of this description, Chingachgook comes with nothing to deviate attention away from Uncas. In describing him as bare chested, Cooper breaks down the character of Chingachgook from a wise, experienced warrior to just a man susceptible to …show more content…
Uncas was the son of Chingachgook and was, in theory, supposed to be the last standing Mohican because of his youth and valor. Contrary to how the end was supposed to occur in their minds, Uncas is surprisingly murdered and Chingachgook is the one left as the last Mohican. Coopers depiction of Chingachgook remarkably does finishes the Mohicans lineage in the way that they had imagined it to. In describing Chingachgook as dead indicates that with Uncas’ death came as well the death of the Mohicans. Just like they had previously imagined, Uncas would be the one in the end to conclude the Mohican race when he was to fall. However, his lively appearance sheds a light onto the prospect of the Mohican legacy. Through all that both father and son had concurred in the novel, protecting the sister and fighting for their people, they achieved a high amount of respect and was acknowledged gallantry. Although Uncas was dead in a literal sense, Cooper revealed through an intense description of Chingachgook that he too has died with Uncas ending the Mohicans. However, even though they both are dead in their retrospective senses, they both contributed to the living legacy of the Mohicans that will be remembered