The Comparative studies of The Last of the Mohicans and The Virginian

ABSTRACT

The western novels developed with the progress of the westward movement."The last mohican" and "Virginian" were selected for analysis.And these two works exactly appear in the development, the climax and the end of the westward movement.This paper will into motion is west of background, through the application of the new historical principle and relevant knowledge of the above mentioned two text carries on the analysis comparison, and through the analysis result of the westward movement the influence of national model body, improve the status of the novel in the western United States and more profound understanding of it. And to further understand the core of American culture and the history of west movement and its effect on America.

Key word:   The Last of the Mohicans；James Fenimore Cooper ；The Virginian；west movement

CONTENT

ABSTRACT 1

Introduction 3

1.Two Western Novels at Two Different Stages of West Movement 4

1.1  The Legendary Frontier: The Last of the Mohicans 4

1.2 The Last Frontier: The Virginian 4

2.The Two Novels: Influence on the Nation Fashioning 6

2.1 Self-reliance 6

2.2 Good Human Nature 6

2.3The Development of Civilization 7

3.The changes of the heroic images 8

3.1 Hawkeye: a perfect and ideal hero 8

3.2 The Virginian: an unsuccessful mediator 8

Conclusion 10

References 11