James Fenimore Cooper by an Indian chief and who after several years is eventually returned to her parents. Often, he gives contrasting views of Native characters to emphasize their potential for good, or conversely, their proclivity for mayhem. "Last of the Mohicans" includes both the character of Magua, who is devoid of almost any redeeming qualities, as well as Chingachgook, the last chief of the Mohicans, who is portrayed as noble, courageous, and heroic. In 1831, Cooper was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Honorary Academician. According to Tad Szulc, Cooper was a devotee of Poland's causes (uprisings to regain
The Headsman: The Abbaye des Vignerons The Headsman: The Abbaye des Vignerons The Headsman: The Abbaye des Vignerons is an 1833 novel by James Fenimore Cooper set in Switzerland. The novel was inspired by one of Cooper's trips during his European travels in 1832. The novel is one of three of Cooper's "European" novels, following "The Bravo" and "The Heidenmauer", all of which use the European setting to deal with socio-political contrast with American institutions. The novel explores a number of themes related to how society structures itself, including justice, authority, friendship, parental relationships, love and marriage. The novel is typically described for its socio-political commentary,