How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"The man is, most manifestly, a disciple of Apollo," cried the amused Alice, "and I take him under my own especial protection. Nay, throw aside that frown, Heyward, and in pity to my longing ears, suffer him to journey in our train. Besides," she added, in a low and hurried voice, casting a glance at the distant Cora, who slowly followed the footsteps of their silent, but sullen guide, "it may be a friend added to our strength, in time of need." (2.27)
Alice's words prove prophetic, because David plays an important role in her later escape from the Huron village. Way to be a good friend, Alice.
Quote #2
"I cannot permit you to accuse Uncas of want of judgment or of skill," said Duncan; "he saved my life in the coolest and readiest manner, and he has made a friend who never will require to be reminded of the debt he owes." (8.5)
Cooper can be super-progressive at times in this novel: here we see an example of true, profound and awesome interracial friendship.
Quote #3
"Life is an obligation which friends often owe each other in the wilderness. I dare say I may have served Uncas some such turn myself before now; and I very well remember that he has stood between me and death five different times; three times from the Mingoes, once in crossing Horican, and—" (8.7)
The frontier clearly tests the claims of friendship over and over again as Hawkeye claims friends are frequently responsible for saving each other's lives. This is a very different idea of friendship from that portrayed in Mean Girls, for example. On Wednesdays, no one in the upstate New York wilderness wears pink.
Quote #4
"If you are led into the woods, that is such of you as may be spared for awhile, break the twigs on the bushes as you pass, and make the marks of your trail as broad as you can, when, if mortal eyes can see them, depend on having a friend who will follow to the ends of the 'arth afore he desarts you." (8.46)
This is the first time Hawkeye swears friendship to Cora. Is his declaration of friendship platonic, in your opinion, or do you think he wants friendship with benefits?
Quote #5
"The poor fellow has mistaken us for French," said Heyward; "or he would not have attempted the life of a friend." (19.45)
Heyward reveals his naivete, as per usual. While everyone else is reveling in a pretty awesome multicultural multi-ethnic friendship fest, Heyworth is off in the corner being closed-minded.
Quote #6
"I have heard," he said, "that there is a feeling in youth which binds man to woman closer than the father is tied to the son. It may be so. I have seldom been where women of my color dwell; but such may be the gifts of nature in the settlements. You have risked life, and all that is dear to you, to bring off this gentle one, and I suppose that some such disposition is at the bottom of it all." (25.86)
Hawkeye talks about romantic love in a way that makes it clear he has never experienced it. The only relationships important to him, therefore, are the friendships he forges with others.
Quote #7
"Before the Mohican boy shall perish for the want of a friend, good faith shall depart the 'arth, and 'killdeer' become as harmless as the tooting we'pon of the singer!" (25.86)
Here Hawkeye is proclaiming his friendship with Uncas. Which better characterizes their relationship, friendship between equals or a father-son type of bond?
Quote #8
So saying, the scout returned and shook David cordially by the hand; after which act of friendship he immediately left the lodge, attended by the new representative of the beast. (26.59)
This is the first moment Hawkeye swears friendship by David. This occurs after David requests that, in the event of his murder, no one avenge his death. Hawkeye grudgingly respects this mode of thinking.
Quote #9
"La Longue Carabine!" exclaimed Tamenund, opening his eyes, and regarding the scout sternly. "My son has not done well to call him friend."
"I call him so who proves himself such," returned the young chief, with great calmness, but with a steady mien. "If Uncas is welcome among the Delawares, then is Hawkeye with his friends." (30.34-30.35)
Uncas shows that his friendship with Hawkeye goes both ways as he defends his friendship in front of Tamenund.
Quote #10
"No, Sagamore, not alone. The gifts of our colors may be different, but God has so placed us as to journey in the same path. I have no kin, and I may also say, like you, no people. He was your son, and a red-skin by nature; and it may be that your blood was nearer—but, if ever I forget the lad who has so often fou't at my side in war, and slept at my side in peace, may He who made us all, whatever may be our color or our gifts, forget me! The boy has left us for a time; but, Sagamore, you are not alone." (33.44)
Hawkeye pledges everlasting friendship to Chingachgook here, despite racial differences. Aww, this makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside.