Cooper’s The Last of the Mohicans is a book full of juxtapositions. Two of the biggest points of contrast in this book are his blatant sexism and racism his depictions of Cora and Chingachgook.
Despite making frequent statements painting the girls as frail, delicate, and helpless, Cooper gave Cora a strong personality and made her a leader. This is acknowledged on page 61 when Heyward informs Cora that her father told him that it is she who leads their group. Although Duncan is the protector, and Cora seems to be always hiding during the more violent scenes, she is shown to be brave and a force to be reckoned with. Cora’s characterization becomes even more interesting when it is revealed to the reader that her mother was a part of a race that was looked down upon. Cora is in many ways the star of this novel, and the most likeable character, despite her racial identity.
Similarly, the Native Americans are frequently villainized by Cooper, but Chingachgook is presented as a respectable, stoic hero, who is loyal and honest, the antithesis of who Cooper was painting the Native People to be. He and Uncas are noble and glorified in his writing. Cooper’s work is heavily influenced by his theories of race and gender, but he includes characters who are marked exceptions to his beliefs.
