Re: Magua, the Warrior's Warrior

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Comments:
: : Victoria,

: : But, surely you are not declaring him to be heroic? His betrayal first of the Mohawk, whose respect and trust for the Mingo led to his Iroquoian adoption, then later, his own people the Huron, disqualifies him from the hero running. 

: >>>Cher Elaine,

: Sometimes heros have selfish motivations.(Look at Hawkeye.)  As for his 'betrayal'of his brothers the Mohawks, which must have been in the book, he was still a Huron in his heart, true to his original people. Boone was captured by the Shawnee, who adopted him (without torture) and lived with them for a time before eventually escaping and fighting with them later.

: Magua's self interest would bring trouble to Huronia. For this, he was reprimanded by the Sachem. Magua's reaction was not exactly conciliatory, nor did the "son of his people" express concern for their common good.

: >>>There was already trouble in Huronia.  If that could not be recognized that it really was the main danger to the common good then it was high time it was brought to their attention.  They had been sitting on the fence for way too long.  The question had an answer and Magua knew what it was.

: He left cursing and showing disrespect to his elders. No, no. Still not a hero.

: >>>Both Sachems and war leaders held their place only as long as they were sucessful in their leadership and adequate response to perceived needs.  If Magua believed their response to the danger they were in was lacking he had a right to challange it. (If he had been Shawnee his scorn would have been accompanied by a universally understood backward salute.)  If they are not ready to see the truth then he would recruit elsewhere (to add to the football team that followed him around.) and prepare for the mother of all fights.   

: : And then there is Magua's creation in Cooper's mind. He was the protagonist of the tale. No matter how you cut it, or how sympathetic to his hardships one is, he remains the villain of LOTM.

: >>>I would argue that he was an intellegent, formidable and worthy opponent (antagonist), and not the villain. 

: : Not a dang lawyer? I know, but you'd be very good.

: >>>The Ally McBeel of the frontier?  

: : Elaine
: : (Who is known to be a Huron-phile)

: Your partner in crime,
: Victoria


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