The Last of the Mohicans

by James Fenimore Cooper

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What was the relationship between Chingachgook and Uncas in The Last of the Mohicans?

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In The Last of the Mohicans Uncas is Chingachgook’s son.

Chingachgook is the Mohican chief and arch rival to Hurons. The story establishes a dichotomy between the two tribes where Mohicans are considered to be the good Indians while the the Hurons are considered dangerous and deceitful. Chingachgook and Uncas cross paths with Munro’s daughters and their guides. They offer to assist the group to safety after they are tricked by Magua, a renegade Huron. Uncas falls in love with Cora, one of Munro’s daughters. However, Cora is given away to Magua by a group of Indians who believe he had the rightful claim to her. Uncas pursues him and his companions and in a tragic event, one of Magua’s companions stabs Cora to death. Uncas tries to avert the situation but he is killed by Magua in a fight. Magua is also shot dead by Hawkeye, Chingachgook’s close friend.

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Chingachgook and Uncas, two of the major characters of the novel The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, share a father and son relationship. Uncas is the biological son of Chingachgook with his wife Wah-Tah-Wah (This isn’t given in this novel, but we come to know this from one of the other Leatherstocking Tales, i.e. The Deerslayer). Uncas and Chingachgook are the only two living members of the legendary Mohican tribe. Uncas is like his father- brave, skilled, sharp and a wanderer. Chingachgook is very proud of Uncas.

"When Uncas follows in my footsteps, there will no longer be any of the blood of the sagamores, for my boy is the last of the Mohicans."

 It is however the inter-racial, father and son “like” relationship of Hawk-eye and Uncas that Cooper focuses more in the novel.

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