Romanticism

Romantic novels or movies usually include a noble or honorable hero that is saving the beautiful girl and the world all in one short book or movie. In Coopers’ Last of the Mohicans movie Deerslayer a native Indian is faced with a great decision, Should help the British fight the French and the Huron Indians or should he move to Kentucky, where there is no trouble with the white men. During this decision Cooper, the author of the novel, adds many elements of Romanticism and Heroism to spice up the story.

            Romanticism is used through many parts in this movie. The way movie starts off Deer Slayer and his two friends are running through a bright, green forest chasing a large buck. After several seconds the buck is sniped in the head from very far away by Deer Slayer. In the scene where Duncan proposed to Cora, he does in a very romantic way, First off, they are having dinner while having dinner there is water flowing in the background and a sailboat is moving down stream. Along with this the wind is blowing sheets on lines. Another scene was at a waterfall the loud powerful noise of the water, the water has passion, was added with the perfect background music to make a romantic addition. At one point in the movie the group must stop because they see the French coming. It is at night and it is a clear sky so the stars are brighter then ever and there is even crickets chirping in the background. Deer Slayer and Cora have a long talk.

            Heroism is used immensely in this movie. The first time you see the British troops there marching in there bright red uniforms. They are very disciplined left right left there moving and there is nobody talking it is silence all that is heard is the march left right left of boots hitting the ground. Duncan is another hero in this movie other than Deer Slayer. When the British troops are attacked for the first time Duncan runs for the women, putting himself in danger, the women first. Later Deer Slayer and the other two Indians come out of no where and start slaying all the Huron Indians until they are all slaughtered. They did not have to save the British people but they did anyways. When the battle is over Cora does a very exotic thing and picks up a gun which shows Cora showing heroic traits. Usually in that time period women would never touch a gun. The next battle after the British surrender to the French, the Huron’s have an ambush ready for them, Deer Slayer is handcuffed. However he manages to get out and runs as fast as he can to save the women another heroic move. Cora then shoots an Indian square is his head BANG!

            There are so many uses of Romanticism and Heroism in this movie. Cooper along with the director of the movie did an excellent job at putting in elements to show more romanticism, the music and different sounds changes the whole aspect of the scenes.