Ethan Galli
8/10/2017 03:44:47 pm
1."The redskins should be friends, and look with open eyes on the white men." Even though Hawkeye opposes racism he still sees the significant differences between the white men and the redskin. Hawkeye doesn't pity the whites for thinking redskins are savages but is rather confuses seeing that the only difference between their races is the skin color.
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Eamon R.
8/13/2017 09:32:38 pm
1. Hawkeyes has a very strong view on race and the differences it creates between the Native American and European cultures. Hawkeye makes clear that the European colonists are indeed more advanced and civilized than the Native Americans. He occasionally refers to natives as "savages" and "redskins" even though he spends most of his life with them. But at the same time, Hawkeye believes the natives are stronger, smarter and much more accustomed to the frontier. In a quote Hawkeye says, " I should think a rifle in the hands of their grandfather was not so dangerous as a hickory bow or good flint-head might be, if drawn with Indian judgement, and sent by an Indian eye" Hawkeye shows that he believes an Indian would beat a white man in combat or shoot a rifle with more expertise.
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Eliza R.
8/14/2017 04:07:00 am
1) Hawkeye understands the divides between the natives and the white people, but is not racist. He knows that both are his friends, and ultimately is an advocate for both, like when he says "There is reason in an Indian, though nature has made him with a red skin!"(page 25). This shows he understands that no matter their color they can be good.
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Sophia F.
8/11/2017 05:25:21 pm
1) Hawkeye is not a racist. He sees the white man and the Indians as equals, only to be different in the color of skin. However, he does believe in “gifts” that are given to individual races. For example, he considers the ability to commit cold-blooded murder (while not in battle) without guilt to be a “gift” of Indians.
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Emmie L
8/11/2017 07:00:58 pm
Hawkeye dislikes interracial marriage, however he supports friendship between different ethnicities. With Chingachgook, Hawkeye says, "There is reason in an Indian, though nature has made him with a red skin!" (Cooper 22). He seems to think they are the same as humans but with a different skin color. However Hawkeye shows offense when he is thought to be mixed, "... though the worst enemy I have on earth, and he is an Iroquois, daren't deny that I am genuine white." (Cooper 23).
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Nicole Herrmann
8/12/2017 10:27:06 pm
1. Hawkeye has a very complex view on racism that sometimes is very confusing. He does believe that sometimes that Indians are inferior to the whites. This is can be shown in the quote "There is a reason in an Indian, though nature has made him with red skin!... I am no scholar, and I care not who knows it; but judging from what I have seen, at deer chases and squirrel hunts, of sparks below, I should think a rifle in the hands of their grandfather was not so dangerous as a hickory bow and good flint-head might be, if drawn with Indian judgement, and sent by an Indian eye." What he is loosely saying is that an Indian is more dangerous than a White man with a gun. Hawkeye also doesn't approve at all of interracial marriage and scoffs at the funeral.
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Rebecca O.
8/12/2017 10:38:37 pm
1). Hawkeye has two different views on race that often seem to conflict. On one hand, he has completely adopted the ways of the Native Americans. He can track in a similar way, he scoffs at book learning, and spends much of his time with the forest as his teacher. He also calls Chingachgook his brother and treats him and Uncas with love. "The gifts of our colors may be different, but God has so placed us as to journey in the same path." (pg. 352). On the other hand, when Chingachgook scalps a French soldier, he says things like. "'Twould have been a cruel and an inhuman act for a white-skin; but 'tis the gift and natur' of an Indian, and I suppose it should not be denied." (pg. 147). Basically that a white person would not have done that because it's cruel, but that's just the nature of a Native American. Things like this really show how conflicting Hawkeye's views on race are.
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Maddie K
8/15/2017 01:38:22 pm
1) Sometimes Hawkeye seems to be fine with different races and other times he doesn't. To me it seems like he is okay with friendship and bonding with other races, but when it comes to love and marriage he seems a bit standoffish about a couple of different races.
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Casey E.
8/13/2017 01:40:56 am
1. Hawkeye's feelings about race are slightly contradictory. In some cases he celebrates his white skin and seems to negatively view the skin tone of the Indians while other times he acknowledges the Indians as his brothers. This struggle can be seen on page 25 when Hawkeye states, "...surveying, with secret satisfaction, the faded color of his bony and sinewy hand; "and I am willing to own that my people have many ways, of which, as an honest man, I can't approve of." And the way he acts so at home within the forest and prides himself on his ability to hunt and survive in the wilderness as well as the fact that his two closest comrades are Uncas and Chingachgook would persuade us to believe he is pretty open to race. However, in Chapter 3 he tells Uncas, "There is reason in an Indian, though nature has made him with a red skin!"(pg.25) This shows that he is very much aware of the conflicts that the Indians and whites have had in the past. I believe that he does oppose racism yet he is still aware of the prejudice surrounding the Indians causing his attitude towards the Indians to sometimes shift.
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Aaron S.
8/13/2017 06:23:10 am
1. Hawkeye has a complicated view of race. He sees that the Indians are better than the Whites in some ways, demonstrated when he says that “‘the Indians have hid the beasts with the judgement of natives” (Cooper 43). From this, it can be inferred that Hawkeye sees the Indians as others, but not inferiors. However, Hawkeye also isn’t one who believes in mixing the races. This can be seen through the quotes the prompt provided, and makes Hawkeye’s views on race a mess. He believes that the races are equal, but also that each one is different, and that they shouldn’t interbreed.
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Jessica S.
8/13/2017 08:11:20 am
1) Hawkeye has close native friends but holds white skin above any other color. While responding to Heyward, he says “There is white reason in what you say” (Cooper 331), which implies that white people have superior reasoning. Even as they honor Uncas and Cora at their funeral, he shakes his head twice in response to the prospects of equality. First, he shakes his head in disapproval of Uncas and Cora together. Then, when Munro says “We may assemble around his throne, without distinction of sex, or rank, or color!” (Cooper 347), Hawkeye again “shook his head” (Cooper 347). He even goes on to say that “To tell them this...would be to tell them that the snow come not in the winter” (Cooper 347). He doesn’t let these leanings rule over his life choices, however, as made evident by his close friendships with Uncas and Chingachgook. He respects other races but thinks that his is better.
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Lydia M.
8/13/2017 12:39:58 pm
1) Though he befriends and respects the Indians, Hawkeye thinks his race is better. He expresses this view when he says, “Why!–– because the gifts of my colour forbid it…” (Cooper 290). Hawkeye believes his color is “gifted” and superior over other races. Even though Hawkeye is friends with Uncas and Chingachgook, he still acknowledges that their, “skins are not altogether of a colour…” (Cooper 308). This suggests that the color of one’s skin is important to Hawkeye. It also insinuates the idea that Hawkeye does not consider the Mohicans as equals. When Munro talks of racial equality at Uncas and Cora’s funeral, Hawkeye comments, “ To tell them this… would be to tell them that the snows come not in winter, or that the sun shines fiercest when the trees are stripped of their leaves” (Cooper 340). Hawkeye makes this comment because he does not believe in racial equality; he finds the idea extreme. Hawkeye respects the Indians, which is why he considers interracial friendships acceptable. However, Hawkeye does not approve of interracial marriage due to his beliefs. “But when they spoke of the future prospects of Cora and Uncas, he shook his head” (Cooper 337).
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Ryan Blanchard
8/13/2017 12:57:01 pm
1. At some times Hawkeye has different views on race. Near the beginning of the book, he is suspicious of Magua simply because he is a Huron. " 'A Huron!' repeated the sturdy scout, once more shaking his head in open distrust;..." (Cooper 125) Although his suspicions were correct, he still came to the decision based on race alone. Yet Hawkeye is not ignorant of other races, which is usually the bases for racism. He accepts the Native American culture and fights along side the Mohicans. When in comes to marriage he seems to be distrustful of interracial marriage. "...shook his head slowly when they were ended,..." (Cooper 1505) Hawkeye says this when Munro tries to assemble "...without distinction of sex, or rank, or color." (Cooper 1505) I think in this way Hawkeye is speaking not of race, but of culture and the society around each race. He doesn't thing that should mix.
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Matthew B.
8/13/2017 01:07:52 pm
1.) Hawkeyes view of race is unique due to the fact he is a white man living an Indian life. Multiple times in the book his views vary, from white people being superior, to sympathizing with the Indians. For one, when Hawkeye states, "The soaring hawk is not more certain of the dove than I am this moment of you, did I choose to send a bullet to your heart! Why should I not? Why!—because the gifts of my color forbid it, and I might draw down evil on tender and innocent heads" (Chapter 29). Here, Hawkeye shows he is proud to show his white attributes such as mercy, hinting that Indians would savagely deal with the situation. While on the other hand, Hawkeye has lived with the indians for many years and understands their culture, as well as agrees with some ideals.
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Cole Fehring
8/13/2017 01:47:09 pm
1)
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Lara G
8/13/2017 02:38:36 pm
1. Hawk-eye is much closer to Native Americans than most white men are due to his friendship with Chingachgook and Uncas. However, he still thinks the two races are different. He thinks Native Americans have different "gifts" than whites. For example, when Chingachgook scalps a French lookout, Hawk-eye defends him because of his race. He says, " 'T would have been a cruel and inhuman act for a white-skin, but 'tis the gift and natur of an Indian" (Cooper 138). This not only shows his belief in the "gifts" of Native Americans, it also shows his belief that white men do not have a license to kill in the same way that Native Americans do. He refuses to kill Magua when he has the chance, saying "the gifts of my color forbid it" (Cooper 297).
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In the book, Hawkeye's view of race is complicated, and occasionally antithetical. He considers whites as superiors in their demeanor, but considers some Native Americans as brothers. This is shown when he states that “I am not a prejudiced man, nor one who vaunts himself on his natural privileges, though the worst enemy I have on earth, and he is an Iroquois, daren't deny that I am genuine white, and I am willing to own that my people have many ways, of which, as an honest man, I can't approve” Hawkeye views being white as a privilege, but is able to admit the wrongdoing of his people. His quote also shows that he doesn't view all Native Americans as enemies, and doesn't hold prejudices against those he considers friends. This is something that most men, at this time couldn't admit.
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Sebastian Dow
8/13/2017 03:34:12 pm
Hawkeye’s view of race is unique partly because he grew up with the white colonists but now lives with the Native Americans. Hawkeye does not see the Natives as inferior like many other white men do, he sees them as another race. “Why! — because the gifts of my color forbid it” (Cooper 313). Hawkeye does believe that he is gifted because he is white and he also believes that skin color matters. This implies that he wouldn't think of the Natives as equals but he is friends with Uncas and Chingachgook regardless and he is not ignorant towards them. I also think since he has been living with them for so long that they are like family to him now.
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Tyler C.
8/13/2017 04:59:50 pm
1) Hawkeye seems to have complicated racial views. One one hand, Hawkeye doesn’t seem to think poorly of any race and he is friends with natives and whites. Hawkeye says to Chingachgook that “the gifts of our colours may be different, but God has placed us as to journey in the same path.” (Cooper 372) He sees Chingachgook as family even though they are of different color and blood. However, he definitely sees race as a defining factor in a person, which is evident in his phrase “a man without a cross.” (Cooper 85) Whenever he refers to himself as a “man without a cross,” he is referring to the fact that he is purely white, without a cross of native blood, and he uses this phrase to explain why he is different than the Indians. This shows that he is very racially conscious and being white is a big part of his identity, which he chooses to explain publicly to others. I think that this complex racial mindset of Hawkeye is what makes him able to interact so well with both the natives and the whites.
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Toni Spina
8/13/2017 05:02:01 pm
1. Hawkeye believes that race should interact but not intermingle. He believes that races can be friends but they should not mix. This is shown between the relationship between Uncas and Cora. "When they [Indian women] spoke of the future prospects of Cora and Uncas, he shook his head, like one who knew the error of their creed" (98%). Hawkeye doesn't even think that an Indian and a mixed race should intermix even in death. Throughout the book he holds this belief subtlety by saying he is a "genuine white" (51%) and that "there is no cross in [his] veins" (51%). He is trying to show that he has no other race in his blood other than white, and that he is proud of that. That being said he is not against another race. Like the Mohicans, he respects them and even looks up to them. He believes they are good friends, and admits that Uncas "has stood between [him] and death five different times" (19%). Hawkeye has a relationship with the Indians and is okay with it, but he is not okay with a intimate relationship between two races.
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Austin M.
8/13/2017 05:49:43 pm
1) Hawkeye's opinion on race is very weird because he is very fond of Native Americans and their methods when scouring the forest for tracks, or hunting for animals, which can be seen all throughout the book. "'Twas done with Indian skill,' said the scout." (Cooper 35) But at the same time, he is also his very fond of his own race and believes that each race has their own specialties and skills. "'Lord! Lord! that is now a white man's courage!' exclaimed the scout." (Cooper 207) "'Revenge is an Indian feeling, and all who know me, know that there is no cross in my veins.'" (Cooper 183) In my opinion, he thinks that the mixing of two different races is not allowed and should not be done because he is of one race, not two. Overall, he does not think of any race as inferior to another but does not want two races coming together as a result of love, as stated by the quotes provided in the prompt.
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Amanda S.
8/13/2017 06:14:28 pm
1)Although Hawkeye may have contradicting feelings about race he is not racist. He is white and he is friends with both white and native people. He is this way because he grew up with white colonists and now he considers natives friends.
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Stewart Brown
8/13/2017 06:22:45 pm
1) Hawkeye has a different view on race then most people given that he is a white man who has adopted the Indian ways, but he is not a racist. The fact that he lives with and protects Indians tells us that, but he does have a complicated view on things. For example, Hawkeye talks about his race as more merciful and sophisticated. “Twould have been a cruel and an unhuman act for a white-skin; but ’tis the gift and natur of an Indian, and I suppose it should not be denied! ” (Cooper 138). Here he says that it would be a cruel thing to do as a white man, but for an Indian it would be an ordinary thing to do. He does the same thing later on in the book when he says “did I choose to send a bullet to your heart! Why should I not! Why!—because the gifts of my color forbid it, and I might draw down evil on tender and innocent heads! (Cooper 297). Hawkeye takes pride in his race, but he isn't racist.
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Hannah B
8/13/2017 07:27:23 pm
1) Hawkeye's feelings on race is different than many others of his time period. He is widely accepting and appreciative of his companions who are Indians, yet still has some underlying racial bias. Hawkeye shows some equality in saying, "...'tis their gift to die with the rifle or the tomahawk in hand; according as their natures happen to be, white or red."(Cooper188). Hawkeye believes that both races should be treated with respect in death. However, he still states an apparent bias. Especially when saying, " 'Twould have beeen a cruel and an unhuman act for a witeskin; but tis the gift and natur' of an Indian, and I suppose it should not be denied."(Cooper 138). Hawkeye basically states that the Indians will keep to their savage ways, but those of the "whiteskin" should be held to a higher standard. This also relates to the situation towards the end when Hawkeye disapproves of the funeral ceremony for Uncas and Cora.
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Riley Brockman
8/13/2017 08:01:29 pm
1) Hawkeye has a very unique and different view on race. At times it's seems as if his view even changes. On one hand, we know he's very fond of the native americans and there culture, as he is a white man living with the Indians. While reading the novel we see how Hawkeye believes race should not make a difference; "the gift of our colours may be different, but god has placed us as to journey in our own path" (Cooper 372) Here we clearly see how hawkeye believes the color of your skin shouldn't make a difference. On the other hand, Hawkeye takes pride in being a white man and proves that he still believes they are superiors. "There is white reason to what you say," (Cooper 331) Here Hawkeye is responding to Heyward by implying that white reasoning is more important. Overall, Hawkeye has a very complicated view on race. At times it is as if he is one with the Native Americans, and at others he is just the stereotypical white man.
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Jenna Richardson
8/13/2017 08:04:24 pm
1) Hawkeye is not racist. The only difference between the English/French and the Native Americans is their skin. He does not believe that the Native Americans are savages or that they aren't as smart as the English/French or that they are different just because of their skin color. He grew up in a white community, but now lives with Native Americans, so he perceives things differently.
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Leilani V.
8/13/2017 08:16:39 pm
1) In being a white man among Native Americans, that’s a telltale sign that he’s different in terms of perspective. Race is not a barrier in his case. To his companion he says, “I loved both you and your father, Uncas, though our skins are not altogether of a color, and our gifts are somewhat different” (Cooper 333) recognizing the disparities between him and his beloved friend, he shows that despite those differences, he managed to create a passionate relationship with them. Nevertheless he hasn’t abandoned those of his race, still referring to them as “friend” (Cooper 345) but all the while remembering that this doesn’t make him superior, but in cooperation with one another in saying that “The gifts of our color may be different, but God has placed us as to journey in the same path”(Cooper 371). However I do question his sense of equality especially after responding to Munro’s speech about gathering “around the throne without distinction of sex, or rank, or color” in saying that to claim that “would be to tell them that the snows come not in the winter, or that the sun shines fiercest when the trees are stripped of their leaves” (Cooper 369) giving me the sense that he may have a bit of a bias towards people of his color despite apparently not being prejudiced as he described himself in the earlier chapters.
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Brian Styles
8/13/2017 08:59:50 pm
1) Hawkeyes view on race is different than everyone else because he lives among the Indians. Towards the end of the book Hawkeye feels restraint to his white ethnic background and uses it against him. "The soaring hawk is not more certain of the dove than I am this moment of you, did I choose to send a bullet to your heart! Why should I not? Because the gifts of my color forbid it, and I might draw evil down on tender and innocent heads"(pg 345). There are other parts in the book where Hawkeye feels his whiteness to be superior over the others but this does not ruin the relationship he has with the Uncas and the Chingachgook.
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Lexi K
8/13/2017 09:09:24 pm
1. Hawkeye is not racist at all, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't notice differences in races between the white men and the natives. Hawkeye believes each race has different abilities and privileges. An example of this is when Hawkeye sees Chingachgook scalp a Frenchman: "T'would have been a cruel and an unhuman act for a white-skin; but ’tis the gift and natur of an Indian, and I suppose it should not be denied! ” (pg. 38) This quote shows how he believes the native has privileges that the white man does not.
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Will Caramucci
8/13/2017 09:10:19 pm
1.Hawkeyes perspective on race in unique. Being white yet raised with indians has provided an different view on race. Hawkeye supports interracial friendships and shares a strong bond with Chingachgook. However Hawkeye disapproves of interracial marriages, as it contradicts his beliefs. Hawkeye struggles with his own color and develops an idea of white superiority. “ Why should I not Why!-because the gifts of my color forbid it?” ( Cooper 308). The idea of white people being better is constant and confins Hawkeye to challenge his beliefs.
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Marilynn H.
8/13/2017 09:13:54 pm
1) Hawkeye's views on race are contradicting. He is friends with Native Americans and loves them like family. He tells Uncas, "I loved both you and your father, Uncas, though our skins are not altogether of a color" (Cooper 373). But on the other hand Hawkeye makes some racist comments like, "That is now a white man's courage" (Cooper 245). He feels like people are just different and certain groups of people have different talents. He also thinks that certain things are acceptable for people because of their race. For example Hawkeye says, " 'Twould have been a cruel and an unhuman act for a whiteskin; but 'tis the gift and natur' of an Indian" (Cooper 162). He is talking about when Chingachgook scalped the French soldier. He disagreed with the action but explained it as the nature of an Indian. It seems like Hawkeye has some mixed views on race. He is racist in some aspects, however he was probably still way ahead of his time on racial views.
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Andrew R
8/13/2017 09:15:40 pm
1) The major factor that sets Hawkeye apart from the white people during that time is his idea of acceptance. We can't stress enough the amount of times in the book he has been accepting of the Native Americans. He has gained a handful of companions during his settlement in the Americas. Even though we have seen growth in him throughout the book his original values and partly racist views still hold true to him. When he said,“There is white reason in what you say” (Cooper 331) the audience was able to see that even though he has been engulfed in the Native American culture while living with them he will always see himself as superior due to his upbringing and obvious skin color differences.
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Peyton O
8/13/2017 09:18:13 pm
1) Hawkeye's view on race in the book is very interesting as he has Native American friends but isn't completely unbiased as seen in this quote. "A Huron!' repeated the sturdy scout, once more shaking his head in open distrust; 'they are a thievish race, nor do I care by whom they are adopted; you can never make anything of them but skulls and vagabonds." (Cooper 20) You can see that he has definite bias to some groups of Native Americans. Along with this he also does not condone romantic relationships between races.
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Ashok Sundararaman
8/13/2017 09:19:13 pm
Hawkeye is different than all the other characters as he is a white male living with Indians. He is very fond of them and is used to their culture. He also speaks their language. Many times in the book, it is obvious Hawkeye is not racist because he "feels bad" for them. But, he is proud to be white. This doesn't make him racist in any way, because he is still friends with many Indians and he has protected his friends in warfare. Hawkeye says, "the gifts of our colours may be different, but God has placed us as to journey in the same path (pg. 352)." This quote shows us that Hawkeye doesn't have a favorite based on skin color because in the end, everyone is going down the same path with the same goals. He also says, "Twould have been a cruel and an unhuman act for a witeskin; but tis the gift and natur' of an Indian, and I suppose it should not be denied (pg. 189)." This shows he is proud to be a white man as they are superior because they aren't "savage" like Indians.
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Michelle F
8/13/2017 09:20:35 pm
1. Hawkeye has a very two sided opinion about race. He praises the Indians about their hunting skills, tracking abilities, and fighting styles. He effortlessly picks up these traits and blends right in with the rest of the Mohicans. He has faith that “the Indians never harm a non-composser,” (pg. 324) meaning that they have some mercy and aren’t ruthless killers. In this way he became a scout with a “sturdy and iron nature” (pg. 324) and he knows how to survive and navigate in the woods. On the other hand, Hawkeye feels that the whites have a slight advantage in the race battle. He sometimes shows his “satisfaction at their superiority in race,” (pg. 299) especially when it comes to better weapons in battle. Hawkeye also mentions how certain acts need “a white man’s courage.” (pg. 300).
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Nathan L.
8/13/2017 09:34:05 pm
1. Hawkeye has a very interesting relationship with race and how he views it. For one, he is a white man living the life of a Native American. He doesn't judge people or classify them based off their skin tone, but by the values they uphold and live by. This is how he is able to live the life of a Native American while being white. He also believes that the different races have different privileges. For example, it is stated by Hawkeye when Chingachgook kill a Frenchman,"'Twould have been a cruel and an inhuman act for a whiteskin; but tis the gift and natur' of an Indian, and I suppose it should not be denied'" (pg 138).This quote is saying that a cold blooded murder is not acceptable if you are white, but if you are an Indian it is something that you can do. On the other hand, Hawkeye still sees himself as white, and supreme because of that. He says, "'There is white reason to what you say'" (pg 331). This is saying that white reasoning is supreme.
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Jimena L.
8/13/2017 09:42:31 pm
1. Hawkeye's views on race change throughout the book. At first he believes that white people and Native Americans should be equal. Although he is white, he gets along with Uncas and the tribe because he does not judge them on what they look like. He sees them for who they are. However, he clearly does not approve of interracial marriage and sometimes lets people know that he is white so he is more privileged than the Natives. "The soaring hawk is not more certain of the dove than I am this moment of you, did I choose to send a bullet to your heart! Why should I not? Why!—because the gifts of my color forbid it, and I might draw down evil on tender and innocent heads"(Cooper 290). He appears to be quite proud of the fact that he is white and knows that he is superior to the Natives. Although he acts like they are equals, in this quote he is bragging about how he is white and privileged, how being white is a gift. He believes that Natives will always be seen as savages. Meanwhile, whites will have a higher status because they are gifted and privileged. Therefore, he is contradicting himself and what he believes in.
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Ben Drogin
8/13/2017 09:44:05 pm
Hawkeye has a very in depth view of race due to the fact that he is a white man living with Indians, which, at the time, is unheard of. Although he shares the same culture and even speaks the same language as the Indians, he believes white people are superior. "A Huron!' repeated the sturdy scout, once more shaking his head in open distrust; 'they are a thievish race, nor do I care by whom they are adopted; you can never make anything of them but skulls and vagabonds." (Cooper pg 20) He also doesn't believe in interracial marriage. He believes that certain races have certain advantageous traits, yet they shouldn't mix. He emphasizes over and over how he is "a man without a cross", showing that his white blood has never mixed with a different races. "I see nothing, nor do I hear the sounds of man or beast; 'tis strange that an Indian should understand white sounds better than a man who, his very own enemies will own, had no cross in his blood, although he may have lived with the redskins long enough to be suspected." (Cooper pg 31) Hawkeye cannot access some of the special attributes Indians can because of their race, as portrayed by the author.
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Claire W.
8/13/2017 09:55:24 pm
1. Hawkeye has a very different take on the two different races, as you would assume with him being an English white male living among Indian Warriors. He is very accepting of both peoples, he praises the Natives for their skills, hunting, warfare, and just overall lifestyle, yet also recognizes the White men and the advantages they have. Which in a way brings up the controversy of him having some slightly racist thoughts and opinions. For example, "There is white reason in what you say." (page 331) So although he is taking great leaps of being a white man who lives with, and is fully submerged in the culture of the Natives, he sometimes still shows his personal sense of superiority. His feelings of still being above the Native people. Looking at it simply straight on, Hawkeye's views of difference in race can be quite contradicting at times.
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Liz King
8/13/2017 09:57:45 pm
1) Although Hawk-eye is not as blatantly racist as some of the other characters in the book, he still sees differences between the white and native American men. In some cases he sees the natives as superiors, such as in tracking, shown when he says "The boy has Indian senses, and may hear what is hid from us; for, being a white-skin, I will not deny my nature." (Pg. 185). Hawk-eye doesn't always see the natives as beneath him, but can appreciate their methods along with his. He doesn't seem to believe that the two cultures can live together in peace, though; he "shook his head, slowly, when they were ended, as one who doubted their efficacy" (pg. 340) when the Munro spoke of a future time when they would all be seen as equals. I think because he has lived among both cultures, he sees how differently they do things and is wary of them living peacefully together. Although he can live among those of other races, he is not blind to race. "I loved both you and your father, Uncas, though our skins are not altogether of a colour, and our gifts are somewhat different." (pg. 308). He does find some of the native's customs questionable, but he still respects them. " 'Twould have been a cruel and an unhuman act for a white-skin; but 'tis the gift and natur of an Indian" (pg. 130). Hawk-eye is not oblivious to race and some of the stereotypes, but he can respect those of other races.
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Lonnie Kem
8/13/2017 10:13:02 pm
1. Hawkeye's view on racism varies between the situation that he is in. Throughout the book he comments on that white people are more advanced. In areas such as, technology, medicine, etc. "I should think a rifle in the hands of their grandfathers was not so dangerous as a hickory bow and a good flint-head might be, if drawn with Indian judgment, and sent by an Indian eye" (Cooper 15). Although he does support being friends with those who are of a different ethnicity than him. "The gifts of our colors may be different, but God has so placed us as to journey in the same path" (Cooper 223).
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Nathan Estrada
8/13/2017 10:57:47 pm
1) Hawkeye has a view on race that is very interesting due to the fact that he has made friends with Native Americans, but still isn't completely unbiased towards them. "A Huron!' repeated the sturdy scout, once more shaking his head in open distrust; 'they are a thievish race, nor do I care by whom they are adopted; you can never make anything of them but skulls and vagabonds." (Cooper 20) This shows that he has a definite bias towards some Native American tribes.
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Liza P
8/13/2017 11:44:56 pm
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James M.
8/14/2017 11:53:23 am
1. Hawkeye has very different views on the different races. The Indians, he praises them for their skills, hunting, warfare, and just overall lifestyle. On the other hand, he still holds the white race above the Natives, as one can expect for him being a white male. Even with his praise he still has huge sense of cultural superiority, he just doesn't express it as much, leading to a confusing situation for his views on race.
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Caitlin B.
8/14/2017 06:53:51 pm
1. Hawkeye's position on race seems to shift in different situations. He is friends with the Native Americans and notes their excellent fishing, battle, and tracking techniques. "There is reason in an Indian, though nature has made him with a red skin!" (Cooper 22). Here Hawkeye sheds a positive light on their intellect.
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Timmy Harris
8/14/2017 08:24:10 pm
1) Hawkeye’s feelings on race is different than other people’s opinions. He’s a white man who accepts different cultures, including the Native Americans’. Natty Bumppo embraces their duties and customs. “I therefore judge that a redskin is not far from the truth when he believes he is to find them glorious hunting-grounds of which his traditions tell.” Here, he trusts the Indians’ knowledge of finding the best hunting-grounds. (Chapter 19, page 218, Hawkeye) At the same time, he appreciates his own race’s cultures and practices. “My English, which is the genuine tongue of a white-skin, will tell the varlets that an enemy is among them.” (Chapter 25, page 304, Hawkeye) Here, Hawkeye is showing that he still praises his own language and race.
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Andros
8/15/2017 10:43:00 am
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Jeffrey S
8/15/2017 02:54:54 pm
1) Hawkeye's views on race are in the middle of the two races. "...though the worst enemy I have on earth, and he is an iroquis, daren't deny that I am genuine white... and I am willing to own that my people have many ways, of which, as an honest man, I can't approve."(chapter 3) Hawkeye says that he is genuine white, but also doesn't agree with many of their ways including their stereotyping natives as "savages."
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Demetri v
8/15/2017 03:44:23 pm
Hawkeye isn't racist but he still believes white men are more superior then Natives. Hawkeye says he takes pride in being a white man. Even though he lives with the Natives he believes he is more advanced and bettEr off. He respects the Natives and their skills. He is friends with the Natives and the whites and he doesn't think that brown skin makes you bad.
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Jake S.
8/15/2017 04:53:27 pm
Hawk-eye views race as not a big deal. He knows that groups have their own cultures and values just like many other people do. "'Twould have been a cruel and an inhuman act for a white-skin; but 'tis the gift and natur' of an Indian, and I suppose it should not be denied." (pg. 147) said a French soldier. This quote describes how Indians can scalp someone, but for a white man they could not which is what Hawk-eye believed in too. He also thinks that your skin color doesn't dictate your mental abilities. Hawk-eye even says on page 22, "There is reason in an Indian, though nature made him with red skin."
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Aditya K.
8/15/2017 05:39:40 pm
1. Hawkeye has a very complicated and nuanced interpretation of race compared to many other white characters in the novel. This stems from the fact that there is a definite difference between a white man and an Indian, especially when it comes to their ability to reason, which is summed up in the quote, "There is reason in an Indian, though nature has made him with a red skin!" said the white man, shaking his head like one on whom such an appeal to his justice was not thrown away" (Cooper 38). However, these distinctions don't lead Hawkeye to resent any of the Indians, with the exception of the Hurons. In fact, his closest friend and ally, Chingachgook, as well as the young man who he considered as his own son, Uncas, were both Mohicans. Hawkeye sums up his affection for the two in the quote, "I loved both you and your father, Uncas, though our skins are not altogether of a colour, and our gifts are somewhat different" (Cooper 465).
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Nathan Estrada
8/15/2017 10:47:29 pm
Man a lot of people haven't done this blog post yet...
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Jackson T
8/15/2017 11:00:12 pm
1) Hawkeye's views on interaction between the whites and Indians are mixed. He approves and promotes interaction between the two races. He has some of his best relations with the Indians and has high praise for their skills. "There is reason in an Indian, though nature has made him with a red skin!" (Cooper 28) Although he promotes communication and friendships between the two groups, he doesn't believe in interracial marriage and this is why he shakes his head upon hearing about Cora and Uncas.
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Jacob D
8/16/2017 12:52:02 am
1)Hawkeye had an interacial friendship that was extremely rare at that time. He does not see someone for what their race did he sees them for what the individual has done." I am willing to own that my people have many ways of which as an honest man I can't approve." (Cooper23) this shows his understanding of what wrong those people have done but does not want to be dragged into that stereotype because that is not who he is.
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Tara S
8/16/2017 01:41:55 am
1)In general, Hawkeye is fairly accepting when it comes to race. Howwever, there are many layers onto how he feels about it. With the Mohicans, Hawkeye treats them how he would any other peer of his. However, he "shakes his head in distrust" (pg37) at the mention of a member of the Huron tribe, who he describes as a "thievish race" that can only be made into "skulks and vagabonds" (37) Also this is another native tribe, Hawkeye has a very different opinion of them. He also has an obsession with his 'genuine whiteness' and although he doesn't have a discriminatory outlook on the natives, he is aware of the differences between them and the Europeans.
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Brigid O.
8/16/2017 02:20:04 am
1) Hawkeye seems to have confusing and conflicting points of view on race. Part of him seems to have adopted and excepted the native American way of life completely. He believes in learning with by way of the land, doesn't believe in book learning, And gives Indians credit for being one with nature. However he seems to only except the Mohican tribe instead of the Heron tribe. For example, he treats the Mohicans like Europeans, where as he calls the Heron tribe "a thievish race." (Pg 37) he also seems to be very infatuated with his own genuine whiteness. " they darent deny that I am a genuine white." (Pg 21) Hawkeye seems to have very conflicting views on race.
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Ben S
8/16/2017 10:19:09 am
Sorry for the late response I just got back yesterday from dropping my sister off at college
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Nate Andrade
8/16/2017 12:23:12 pm
Although Hawkeye lives with the Indians, he has higher opinions of Europeans than the Indians. He views the Indians as savages and white men as more civilized. Although he is mildly bigoted towards Indians, he finds them to be stronger than Europeans. He believes in communication between the two but he doesn't believe in marriage between the two.
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Collin T
8/16/2017 02:04:23 pm
1. Hawkeye's opinions on race I believe are largely based on what he has seen and experienced. He generally thinks better of the white man than the Indian because he has never seen the white man commit terrible acts of brutality, but he has seen the Indians to so, such as when they killed many of the surrendering people from the fort. This also explains his hatred of the Hurons, because he has seen people get cheated by them.
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Quinton Graybeal
8/16/2017 02:16:48 pm
1. Hawkeye lives with the Indians, but he is still a white man, and he knows that. He sees the Indians as his family, not inferiors, but he still believes he should be privileged over them because of his skin. “The gifts of our colours may be different, but God has placed us as to journey in the same path” (Cooper 372). Hawkeye does not see the Indians as bad people or less of a person than he is, but he does use his skin color to boost his own ego. Being white and friends with the Indians, he is able to link the two peoples together.
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Sisi F.
8/16/2017 06:43:02 pm
1) Hawkeye is very open minded about the Indians and their set of skills and does not let race effect him or the way he treats the people he lives among. However, Hawkeye can be called racist in some situations when he references religion and "the way God made things."
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Sophia Galleguillos
8/16/2017 06:52:04 pm
1. Hawkeye feels that race is not important when it comes to people. He does acknowledge the fact that he is a white man with an Indian tribe, but he still feels like they are his family. He does however constantly mention the fact that he is white and he feels that it is important to his identity.
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Jesus Escobedo
8/16/2017 06:58:42 pm
Hawkeye does not care about race. Hawkeyes sees past race and only sees others as human. Hawkeye knows he is diffrent from the Indians but does not see himself as lesser or greater.
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Eva B.
8/16/2017 07:29:50 pm
1) Hawkeye is not racist, although he does admire the benefits of living in the forest and the advantage it gives the Native Americans. As he says "Such old foxes as Chingachgook and myself are not often caught in a burrow with one hole,' said Hawkeye, laughing." (Cooper 44). This quote demonstrates how he sees Chingachgook and himself as equals but he also admits the gifts of the Native Americans as seen in this quote: "Well, friend, I suppose it is your gift, and mustn't be denied..."(Cooper 48).
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Tori Tamayo
8/16/2017 07:48:00 pm
1. Hawkeye throughtout the book starts to change his perspectives on things specfically race. In the begging of the book he thought of everyone as equal. He didn't think of indians as less of people. But he still thinks of himself as more privillaged ."There is reason in an Indian, though nature has made him with a red skin!" (Cooper 22). In this qoute it shows that Hawkeye seems them as very bright .
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Daniella
8/16/2017 08:07:11 pm
1 Hawkeye spending a lot of time with the Native Americans was not racist toward them. He was also from European background himself so he always saw them as equals. He did acknowledge the differences that naturally came with the natives vs the Europeans. Especially in this quote " I should think a rifle in the hands of their grandfathers was not so dangerous as a hickory bow and a good flint-head might be, if drawn with Indian judgement, and sent by an Indian eye."(page 25). This may come out as a racist remark but I don't completely think he intended it in that way. I think he genuinely thinks that Indians are more powerful in warfare which in their culture it does seem like a bigger deal then in the European culture.
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Jovani F.
8/16/2017 08:22:32 pm
1. Hawkeye doesn't really have strong view on race. Hawkeye realizes the differences between Native American and European culture. With these differences Hawkeye believes that each race comes with its own kind of gift. "Twould have been a cruel and inhuman act for a white-skin; but ’tis the gift and natur of an Indian…I suppose it should not be denied!…’ ” (Cooper 138) According to Hawkeye, a white man wouldn't be as ruthless as a Native American. He considers this to be gift, but also the ruthlessness of the Native Americans as gift too. Hawkeye is also friendly even if your race is different, but condemns marriage between different races.
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Sophia L
8/16/2017 08:45:10 pm
1.) Hawkeye is not racist. He believes everyone is equal no matter the color of there skin. He judges people based on their actions and how they behave. This really shows his character and who he really is as a person. He wants to everyone to have their own thoughts based on who they are as a person not just because of their race or color of their skin. "the gift of our colours may be different, but god has placed us as journey to our own path" (Cooper 372) Hawkeye believes that people are made is all different styles, shapes and colors but when we are made, we are all made to make who we really want to be not just what others think we are.
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Demetrius Rauck
8/16/2017 09:37:25 pm
1. Hawkeye's feelings towards race are complicated. He himself being of hybrid descent (but still considering himself white) makes the best friends with some and worst enemies with other Indians. His truest friends are Uncas and Chingachgook, and his worst enemies the Hurons. I would say that I do not believe he is racist, his hatred of the Hurons and Magua isn't because of their skin color, its because they are a tribe of enemies. "'A Huron!' repeated the study scout, once more shaking his head in distrust; 'they are a thievish race" (Cooper 30) He isn't prejudiced and disapproves of his peoples way seen on page 23. "'I am not a prejudiced man, nor one who vaunts himself on his natural privileges, though the worst enemy I have on earth, and he is a Iroquois, daren't deny that I am genuine white,' the scout replied, surveying, with secret satisfaction, the faded color of his bony and sinewy hand; 'and I am willing to own that my people have many ways, which, as an honest man, I can't approve.'" (Cooper 23) He recognizes race and expects certain things from certain races, but that isn't technically racist. "'An Indain lost in the woods!' said the scout, shaking his head doubtingly." (Cooper 30) Racism is defined as prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. The expectation that an Indian would be able to navigate a forest easily is perhaps a prejudiced assumption, but isn't discriminatory or believing one's own race is superior.
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Lara F
8/16/2017 10:17:16 pm
1. Throughout the book Hawkeye is not a racist. Instead he is one of the few people who view whitemen and Indians as equals. He believes that "The gifts of our colors may be different, but God has so placed us as to journey in the same path"(Cooper 363). This shows once again that the color of their skin did not matter to Hawkeye becasue he viewed everyone equally.
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Raul Rodriguez
8/16/2017 10:27:40 pm
1.Hawkeye's view of race is very interesting since he is accepting of both the White and Indian people. This is different since most people at that time did not see Indians as anywhere equal to whites. "If you judge of Indian cunning by the rules you find in books, or by the white sagacity, they will lead you astray, if not to your death"(Cooper 129). This is him showing Duncan that racism will just lead to a bloodshed if every white would to treat Indians in that matter. Hawkeye being able to see both sides changes the lives of many characters throughout the book.
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Kyle H.
8/16/2017 10:59:54 pm
1.Hawkeye has a different view on racism and allows him to see it from both sides of the spectrum. His views do differ throughout the book though. To give him the benefit of the doubt he was growing up as a white man and now living amongst the native americans. Although he does see most everyone as equal and no one as more superior than others. “The soaring hawk is not more certain of the dove than I Am at this moment of you,did I choose to send a bullet to your heart! Why should I not!” (hawkeye 310) This quote explains that he has the same feelings towards all that he is willing to kill indians for saving others and he would do the same if it was a white man. He looks past the color of the skin and does what is right in the moment.
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Blake Carlile
8/16/2017 11:22:14 pm
1. Hawkeye has a unique view of racism that helps him see both sides of the story. Although he is a white man, he views all as equal. Both the white men and the natives are equal to him. He thinks that they are just misunderstood greatly. "If you judge of Indian cunning by the rules you find in books, or by the white sagacity, they will lead you astray, if not to your death"(Cooper 310). He believes that racism will end only in bloodshed.
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Beau McAndrew
8/16/2017 11:37:43 pm
In my eyes, Hawkeye is a neutral race. Yes, he is white, but he lives with Indians and is slightly altered by their ways. Because of this he can evaluate either race fairly. He admits that the white men are more advanced, but he likes the Indian way more. He doesn't think book learning works very well as when you have learned the book, there is nothing else to learn. He also occasionally calls Indians savages showing that he understands that they can be brutal.
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Maggie D.
8/17/2017 03:00:37 pm
1. Hawkeye is a complicated character, as he does not fall between racist or not. He is simply complex. On one hand he is best friends with a Native American and views them as family. Yet he also feels he is completely privileged (and rightfully so in his eyes) over the other races. One thing that is for certain is that Hawkeye believes each race has their own special abilities. The Natives are "a rifle in the hands of their grandfathers was not so dangerous as a hickory bow and a good flint-head might be, if drawn with Indian judgment, and sent by an Indian eye"(Cooper). I would call Hawkeye a white nationalist, but not a hardcore racist.
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