The Usefulness of The Forgetful David Gamut in The Last of The Mohicans

In the novel The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper, the author enlightens the reader on the history of a war in America and the “savages” who fought within it by introducing a cast of colorful characters and their journey through the bloody forest. One such character is named David Gamut who is known for his forgetfulness in the eyes of the audience. Many can argue that David could be written out of the story and nothing of note would be lost, however, I argue that his role is necessary, for he helps emphasize the themes of race and religion throughout the story. Not only can he be considered the hero should the reader perceive him as such, but he also acts as a foil to the “man without a cross” Hawkeye. Certainly, if David were truly an unimportant presence, Cooper wouldn’t have written him in at all.

Firstly, Cooper doesn’t focus on one character, for the story is told in the third person switching between many. Thus, multiple heroes can be determined, David Gamut being a crucial one. The question, “who is the hero?” and its relation to the idea of genre was discussed by Professor Scott Michealsen during his lectures. He spoke about a man named Northrop Frye who established the four basic genres of literature: comedy, romance, tragedy, and satire. By defining the genre, the reader can pin-point who the hero may be. More prominent characters like Heyward or Hawkeye can turn the genre into a romance or satire, which brings different views on the core of the story. Although he is not as popular, David being perceived as a hero offers the genre as tragedy, which others can agree fits Mohicans accurately. What makes him the perfect candidate for this genre is his role of being a true outsider with nothing to gain or lose. He also doesn’t he have a strong bias on either color. He didn’t intend to take part in such a deadly adventure, for he only joined Heyward’s group to Fort William Henry because he was lost. This unlucky choice thrust him into the world of a war between races, and his new experiences and growth are shared with the audience.

During his journey, David is initially useless and a coward, refusing to carry a weapon. Instead, he tries to bring order by calming his restless comrades. Unfortunately his actions also bring disorder. His loyalty to follow the recaptured sisters after the Fort William Henry Massacre, and his newfound courage to walk among the frightful enemy allowed Hawkeye's rescue party to take away the strength Magua held over them. He made a heroic sacrifice when he takes the place of the captured Uncas in the boy's escape, but his carelessness gets him caught. As a result, both sides prepare for what becomes their final battle. A final battle where David “trades his pipe for a slingshot” and participates physically in the destruction of tribes.

Surprisingly, David holds similarities to the natives in a way not comparable to any other. The natives communicate through the echoing woods with shrill yells and booming howls indicating success in battle or a retreat. David’s songs communicate the words of his heart to those he wants to hear it, whether they respect him for it or not. His voice guides him through the tragedy unfolding before him, and after the disorder reorder is presented in the form of a funeral where his final contributions to the book represents mourning. The Delaware girls sing their song with grief and sympathy, no longer were native sounds associated with war or violence. 'Even David was not reluctant to lend his ears to the tones of voices so sweet… his gaze announced that his soul was enthralled'. In turn he sang his Christian sounds to mourn the fallen. 'Occupied in pouring out the pious feelings of his spirit… the Delaware girls listened like those who knew the meaning of the strange words… the mingled emotions of sorrow, hope, and resignation...' David's notes are finally properly understood by the other color. These songs were able to touch the hearts of both sides who had lost the last of their names in their mourning.

Another reason for David Gamut’s existence is that his determined character acts as a foil for the equally stubborn character of Hawkeye. When first introduced in the story, Hawkeye is described as “though muscular, was rather attenuated than full; but every nerve and muscle appeared strung and indurated by unremitted exposure and toil”. On the contrary, David is described by Cooper as “ungainly” and “his shoulders narrow; his arms long and dangling; while his hands were small, if not delicate”. Although both are similar in build, Hawkeye is visualized to be the tough man of the woods and David the awkward, fragile man of the time period. These two men showcase a theme of gender, not between the sexes, but the varying types of masculinity. They are defined as opposites yet trade roles. Hawkeye lays aside his rifle to sing a song calling David to him, and later David puts aside his pacifistic ways to battle the Hurons alongside the scout (301). “In the world of Mohicans, alternative masculinities not only work together, their cooperation is necessary for cultural progress”, thus the idea of man is unified between them.

The men also satisfy the two extremes of the religious theme within the novel. Hawkeye mentions countless times that he is a “man without a cross”. This statement refers to both his religious status and the fact that he isn’t a man of red-skin nor the typical Christian white man. He announces his religious status blatantly. Relying on his instinct, and a man-made rifle to survive in the forest among the enemy, he has no need for God. In comparison, David’s religious status is also consistently brought to attention. He sings his hymns in almost every chapter he is in and believes strongly in God’s prayer, that God will judge all people and races worthy of living. Hawkeye berates him for this and tells him the natives don’t believe in his God but the Great Spirit. He doesn’t have the hardened skills of the scout to survive against the natives, but his main weapon is his words as stated by Hawkeye himself.

Differing beliefs and experience greatly set these men apart, however, no other character can fill the role as Hawkeye’s perfect foil without being as eccentric. Hawkeye can be considered a man who is out of place in the forest for being a man of white blood. Dressing and acting like those who were one with the forest, he is seen as an oddity in both the eyes of the white cast and the audience. David is, too, a white man out of place within the forest. The importance of staying silent is emphasized greatly by others, however, he continues to sing in the open and is “too ignorant of the customs and history of the natives”. He is labelled as a lunatic by the tribe people for the absurdity of trying to open their hearts using God’s words.

In conclusion, David Gamut can be proven to be just as important to Cooper’s novel, The Last of the Mohicans, as the rest of the main characters. The reader will notice that he is not the one-dimensional character some would assume the first time reading. As a hero, he presents the story as a tragedy of lost nations and families. As Hawkeye’s foil he brings out the scout’s features and beliefs by contrasting and comparing to his own, giving more of an impact to the reader of the themes presented with. Thus, it is without a doubt that David is necessary as he leads the reader to the last of the Mohicans.

Works Cited

• Cooper, James. The Last of the Mohicans. Mineola, Dover Publications, Inc., 2003.
• Knip, Matthew. “Cooper’s Heroic David Gamut.” James Fenimore Cooper Society, 2009, https://jfcoopersociety.org/articles/SUNY/2007suny-knip.html. Accessed 1 Oct. 2019.
• Michaelsen, Scott. IAH 207: Literatures, Cultures, Identities. Sept. 2019, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. Class Lecture.