Re: More on Magua

Posted by Victoria on August 08, 1998 at 16:17:36:

In Reply to: Re: More on Magua posted by Elaine on August 08, 1998 at 10:12:14:

: Dear DA Victoria,

: Always a pleasure to converse with the Devil's Advocate!

>>The pleasure is mine.

: We will agree on Magua's designation as the antagonist, right?

>>Fer sure.

Was he justified in his actions? Perhaps on a personal level, he was.

>>Individualism was the hallmark of all Native Americans, now inherited by all good 'Mercans.

Rightly or wrongly, he held the Grey Hair responsible for his losses and vowed to avenge those losses. This, I understand and empathize with.

>>So there you admit he had reasons to do what he did, more so than Hawkeye & pals when they took up the hatchet.

Fighting for truth and a way of life? No, I think not. Had Magua been operating for the common good of the Huron, then that would be true. But his motive was never beyond a personal nature.

>>The truth that the Grey Hair, the Red Coats, and their minions killed wantonly and without honor. That they were no more "civilized" than those they called savages.

He took pay from both the English and the French,

>>Magua, the double naught spy.

not to further the cause of Huronia freedom, but to further his aim to have his revenge. Had he killed Munro and saw that his debt was satisfied, we could see this as justice. But to continue his "blood lust", and require also the deaths of the Munro daughters, who had no culpability in his own wrongs, was not justice but pure vengeance.

>>An eye for an eye.

His actions endangered his own people so he was not acting for anyone's benefit but his own. This makes him the bad guy.

>>So what was Hawkeye's motive if not personal?

: You are right that we can never know for sure if he could have been persuaded to ransom "that girl." Based on Magua's own declarations and his burning hatred of all things Munro, there is no way I can ever see him ransoming "that girl."

>>Maybe not money, but some strategic advantage if he thought he could best the white eyes.

: Heroic figure ... again, his determination and willingness to make daring, bold moves can loosely classify him as a hero, but to whom? Not to the Hurons. Not to the plot. No one was better served by his actions. A hero perhaps to himself and the memory of his family?

>>Then you take my point?

: Ever pleased and willing to hear your arguments,
: Elaine

>>A votre service,
Victoria

Follow Ups:

• Re: More on Magua Kay 05:55:59 8/09/98 (5)
  • Re: More on Magua Marcia 09:41:41 8/09/98 (4)
    • Re: More on Magua Kay 19:49:38 8/09/98 (3)
      • Re: More on Magua Marcia 21:50:23 8/09/98 (2)
        • Re: More on Magua Kay 22:26:15 8/09/98 (1)
          • Re: More on Magua Marcia 22:52:22 8/09/98 (0)

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Comments:
: : Dear DA Victoria,

: : Always a pleasure to converse with the Devil's Advocate!

: >>The pleasure is mine.

: : We will agree on Magua's designation as the antagonist, right? 

: >>Fer sure.

: Was he justified in his actions? Perhaps on a personal level, he was. 

: >>Individualism was the hallmark of all Native Americans, now inherited by all good 'Mercans.

: Rightly or wrongly, he held the Grey Hair responsible for his losses and vowed to avenge those losses. This, I understand and empathize with. 

: >>So there you admit he had reasons to do what he did, more so than Hawkeye & pals when they took up the hatchet.

: Fighting for truth and a way of life? No, I think not. Had Magua been operating for the common good of the Huron, then that would be true. But his motive was never beyond a personal nature.

: >>The truth that the Grey Hair, the Red Coats, and their minions killed wantonly and without honor.  That they were no more "civilized" than those they called savages. 

: He took pay from both the English and the French, 

: >>Magua, the double naught spy.

: not to further the cause of Huronia freedom, but to further his aim to have his revenge. Had he killed Munro and saw that his debt was satisfied, we could see this as justice. But to continue his "blood lust", and require also the deaths of the Munro daughters, who had no culpability in his own wrongs, was not justice but pure vengeance.

: >>An eye for an eye. 

: His actions endangered his own people so he was not acting for anyone's benefit but his own. This makes him the bad guy.

: >>So what was Hawkeye's motive if not personal?

: : You are right that we can never know for sure if he could have been persuaded to ransom "that girl." Based on Magua's own declarations and his burning hatred of all things Munro, there is no way I can ever see him ransoming "that girl." 

: >>Maybe not money, but some strategic advantage if he thought he could best the white eyes.

: : Heroic figure ... again, his determination and willingness to make daring, bold moves can loosely classify him as a hero, but to whom? Not to the Hurons. Not to the plot. No one was better served by his actions. A hero perhaps to himself and the memory of his family?

: >>Then you take my point?

: : Ever pleased and willing to hear your arguments,
: : Elaine

: >>A votre service,
: Victoria


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