The Last of the Mohicans (Bantam Classics)

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What aspects of Magua behavior foreshadow his emergence as the major antagonist of the narrative? What do we learn about him in the opening chapters?

 

jasmine s #259865
Aug 07, 2012 4:55 PM

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What aspects of Magua behavior foreshadow his emergence as the major antagonist of the narrative? What do we learn about him in the opening chapters?

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jill d #170087
Aug 07, 2012 5:19 PM

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Chapters One and Two introduce the theme of Indian savagery to the novel. The opening informs the reader that there have been a number of recent massacres, citing that “the natives of the forests were the principal and barbarous actors.”

We also see the immediate stereotypical introduction of Indians as savages, and the initial deacription of Magua supports this. He is said to be —is also apparent in the first description of Magua, in which he is said to be “savage and repulsive,” his eye filled with a “native wildness." He is tricky (cunning) and wastes no time showing this trait (a foreshadowing of the sneaky, cunning we'll see later on in the story).

Cora sees Magua in a few different ways; she is both attracted and afraid. Unfortunately, her attraction...... combined with Magua's eavedropping, combine to foreshadow his desire for an interracial relationship, something that becomes a major bone of contention. Cora's questioning of Hayward and implication that he based trust on the color of someone's skin intrigues Magua....... thus begins the attraction he feels for her. There's gonna be trouble!

Source(s): The Last of the Mohicans

 

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