The Last of the Mohicans had many examples of foreshadowing throughout the story. From the beginning of the story, Magua makes an impression upon everyone that he cannot be trusted. Chingachgook also makes a reference in Chapter II that they are the last of the Mohican tribe. There’s also a fair amount of symbolism throughout the story. The Mohicans running from the Huron tribe is like a mouse running from a cat: eventually the mouse will get caught. Though they are the protagonists, they are destined to fail, as their tribe has withered into but a few men.
In the beginning of The Last of the Mohicans, Magua is a mysterious character. We know him only as a guide to help direct Heyward’s party to their fort. As the story develops, it becomes known that Magua is an untrustworthy Huron. The foreshadowing in this part of the story is the pure fact that, though it is not directly hinted, Magua is introduced to the reader and all of the characters as a dark, shady, and mysterious character and remains that way throughout the book.
Hawkeye’s name also presents a form of foreshadowing early in The Last of the Mohicans. He is named Hawkeye for his amazing marksmanship with his long range rifle, named Killdeer. Hawkeye and his rifle help Heyward’s party get out of many rough situations, such as the canoe pursuit. Hawkeye manages to wound one of the Hurons pursuing him, which aids in their escape yet again. The name “Hawkeye” represents many things about this man; it defines the role he plays in The Last of the Mohicans.
Chingachgook makes a reference in Chapter II to Uncas of them being the last of the Mohican tribe. This is very early in the book, and it contains foreshadowing because, indeed, Chingachgook is the last of the Mohicans by the end of the book. The foreshadowing here is unintentional on Chingachgook’s part, for he doesn’t know that he really will be the last Mohican alive.
What’s left of the Mohicans is also fated to be destroyed. Magua and his Huron tribe hunt after Heyward’s party, like a cat hunts a mouse. Though it takes a while for the cat to find the mouse, once it does, the mouse will find itself trapped. It was really just a matter of time before they were found, and killed by the ruthless Hurons. Though the Mohicans put up a good fight, it was like Colonel Munro’s fight against the French, which lasted quite some time, but in the end Munro lost the battle. These two events also symbolize many other things that are doomed to happen, such as my finishing this paper, or Mrs. Pokora eventually finding some way to tap dance on my soul.
The Last of the Mohicans had many examples of both symbolism and foreshadowing. Magua’s appearance, Hawkeye’s name, and Chingachgook’s comment are all foreshadowing in some form. The fate of the Mohican race eventually being wiped out was also a symbol for many things that are inevitable in our everyday lives. As Abraham Lincoln once said, “It’s not the years in your life, it’s the life in your years,” and the Mohican tribe’s years were definitely lively.
