Posted by Marcia Meara on August 28, 1997 at 20:39:18:
In Reply to: Giving Duncan His Due posted by Sarah on August 28, 1997 at 19:30:58:
Regarding Duncan: I have always considered Duncan's character to be one of the most interesting in the film. He arrives at the colonies so sure of himself, his position in the world, and his country. I've never thought of him as a villain at all...merely completely at a loss as to what is going on. I think he is genuinely outraged that Hawkeye doesn't see fit to fight for the English...after all, Duncan's point of view, as drummed into him through his military training, no doubt, is "make the world England." He thinks he is going to straighten up all the problems at hand, marry Cora & go home to live happily ever after. Then, wham! He is confronted with situations he is entirely untrained to deal with. He must contend with an outspoken frontiersman he doesn't understand, a rejection from the woman he loves, and murderous Indians who won't stand still in straight lines so he can shoot them down!
But, little by little, his understanding of what is happening grows. When Hawkeye appears at the Huron Village, and is willing to give his life for Cora (and as someone pointed out in the lost posts, begs for mercy for Duncan, too), he does what he has always been trained to do...the brave thing...the "right" thing. And he knows by then that Cora & Hawkeye belong together. I find it completely believable that he sacrifices himself at that point. It's very touching & very noble, to my mind.
OK, Mohican Press guys...that's as close as I can come to the original post...hope this one stays put!!! ;o)
Marcia