Romanticism In The Last Of The Mohicans
Romanticisms is a movement in the arts and literature that originated in the late 18th century, emphasizing inspiration, subjectivity, and the primacy of the individual. In The Last of the Mohicans romanticism is shown through several traits represented by James Cooper in this short story. The three traits I chose to write about was values feeling and intuition over reason, shuns the artificiality of civilization and seeks unspoiled nature, and contemplates nature’s beauty as a path to spiritual and moral development. Hawkeye is a great character that demonstrates each of these traits as you learn about him and his life during this story. The first trait I chose, values feeling and intuition over reason, is shown several times by Hawkeye.
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When Hawkeye speaks to Cora he notices the wisdom she has when they speak, "Wisdom is sometimes given to the young, as well as to the old," he said; "and what you have spoken is wise, not to call it by a better word." The wisdom makes Hawkeye realize the beauty of where he has grown up and how important nature is to him. The wilderness has been his home, and a place that has led him to his entire future. Hawkeye says that, "I should be but a poor scholar for one who has studied so long in the wilderness, did I not know how to set forth the movements or natur' of such a beast." This means that the wilderness has been like a path he has followed during his entire life. The path has guided him to be the person he is today. He also states that “It would have been more wonderful had he spoken without a bidding. No, no; your young white, who gathers his learning from books and can measure what he knows by the page, may conceit that his knowledge, like his legs, outruns that of his fathers', but, where experience is the master, the scholar is made to know the value of years, and respects them accordingly." Hawkeye is embracing his Native American culture and is using it as guidance. He takes where he grew up as a path to lead him as he gets older. Romanticism is used several times throughout The Last of the Mohicans. It is used to value feeling and intuition over reason, shuns the artificiality of civilization and seeks unspoiled nature, and contemplates nature’s beauty as a path to spiritual and moral development. James Cooper uses Hawkeye to demonstrate each of these traits throughout this short
When Hawkeye speaks to Cora he notices the wisdom she has when they speak, "Wisdom is sometimes given to the young, as well as to the old," he said; "and what you have spoken is wise, not to call it by a better word." The wisdom makes Hawkeye realize the beauty of where he has grown up and how important nature is to him. The wilderness has been his home, and a place that has led him to his entire future. Hawkeye says that, "I should be but a poor scholar for one who has studied so long in the wilderness, did I not know how to set forth the movements or natur' of such a beast." This means that the wilderness has been like a path he has followed during his entire life. The path has guided him to be the person he is today. He also states that “It would have been more wonderful had he spoken without a bidding. No, no; your young white, who gathers his learning from books and can measure what he knows by the page, may conceit that his knowledge, like his legs, outruns that of his fathers', but, where experience is the master, the scholar is made to know the value of years, and respects them accordingly." Hawkeye is embracing his Native American culture and is using it as guidance. He takes where he grew up as a path to lead him as he gets older. Romanticism is used several times throughout The Last of the Mohicans. It is used to value feeling and intuition over reason, shuns the artificiality of civilization and seeks unspoiled nature, and contemplates nature’s beauty as a path to spiritual and moral development. James Cooper uses Hawkeye to demonstrate each of these traits throughout this short