Posted by Kate on December 28, 2000 at 21:21:40:
In Reply to: Re: The Major's sacrifice posted by Kate on December 28, 2000 at 21:11:35:
: : : Hi Tim,
: : : Welcome! I'm glad that you 'jumped in' and gave us your 'take' on this question. Being 'new' in Mohicanland, only lasts as long as it takes to 'post' and introduce yourself. After that, you're just another 'Mohicanlander':o)
: : : You raise some interesting points and *I* think you're probably pretty close to the truth of it. From the moment of the ambush on the George Road, Alice was experiencing life as she had never encountered it before - cruel, barbaric, and with little to make her want to go on. To be honest, *I'm* not even sure she was aware of Uncas's interest in her - her face seemed to register only terror and I can't think of an instance where her terror fades and she indicates that she is aware of his feelings toward her.
: : : Because WE see Uncas's face, as he cradles her in the cave, we know HIS feelings, but - she doesn't see his face. Therefore, is SHE aware? DOES she reciprocate those feelings? When she steps off that cliff, it seems to me that it could be as you say - she has been pushed too far and can take no more, especially knowing that the Huron will not be kindly to her, at journey's end. She has just witnessed one of her 'saviours' death - perhaps she feels that Magua and his band are capable of killing the others too. So - what end for her? In weighing it up, perhaps she feels that death is preferable to anything she can imagine.
: : : A lot of people say that 'death is the easy way out' - I'm not one of them. I believe that to CHOOSE to die, must be one of the MOST difficult and loneliest decisions a person can make. But I believe that you are right - the height of desperation and sheer hopelessness that she must have felt, at seeing her 'hope of salvation' die before her, would likely have been the thing that caused her (quite literally, as Bill said! :o) to send her over the edge!
: : : Yes, I think many folks here in Mohicanland agreed that Duncan DID have many redeeming qualities - but he hid them well, sometimes!! :o)
: : : It was interesting reading your thoughts about this.
: : : Kate.
: :
: : Thanks Kate, sweet of you to welcome.
: : You've a good point; because of the romantic tension he felt and her suicide apparently as a reaction to his death, I made an assumption. Either way she certainly must have had some kind of dependency on him. I guess I'll just have to watch the movie again - darn. Maybe twice more...
: ...............
: Hey, Tim,
: Well, I think it's an easy assumption to make and it's a theory that a lot of people here, hold. However, I've never really been convinced that there was a 'reciprocal' romantic liason, here. But that isn't to say that I've got that right! We're all just following our instincts here, I think! :o) But - it IS 'another' theory.
: Yes, I agree that Alice does seem to have formed some kind of 'dependency' on Uncas, though what that 'dependency' actually is, is the mystery that we are all forced to resolve for ourselves. And I think that's a deliberate ploy on the part of MM.
: It is obvious that Uncas has a 'wee romantic notion' (as we would say here) for Alice, but I just don't believe that Alice knows or indeed, is in a position psychologically speaking, to weigh up that knowledge, if she had it, and reciprocate that feeling.
: In view of her state of mind, I tend to think she views this quiet, but confident and skilled hunter, as her likely 'rescuer' until he is killed. The only spark of the light of hope, in her long, dark tunnel is snuffed out. Myself, I believe she has just experienced more than her mind can adjust to and borne of desperation and hopelessness, chooses death.
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Ooops, sorry about the abrupt closure of that post! Cat hit my Board just as my cursor was paused (or should that be 'pawsd!) over 'Post Message'! *sheesh - everyone/everything wants to use my Board!) :o)
Like I said, just another slant on things!
Kate.