The Last of the Mohicans

by

James Fenimore Cooper

The novel’s antagonist, and a high-ranking Huron warrior (itself a subset of the Mingo, or Iroquois, tribes), Magua wishes to defeat the English and Mohican / Delaware forces, and also to take Cora, Munro’s dark-haired older daughter, back with him to his “wigwam,” as his wife. Magua is portrayed as caring more about amassing power and gaining influence than about honor, as he has a history of switching alliances in whatever way is most beneficial to him, which fits with his nickname Le Renard Subtil ("The Wily Fox"). He also has a long memory for any slight he has received, and is focused on Cora to redress wrongs he feels he has been dealt by Colonel Munro. After numerous attempts to kidnap Cora, Magua is eventually killed by Hawkeye, but not before Cora is killed by another Huron, and Magua kills Uncas.

Magua Quotes in The Last of the Mohicans

The The Last of the Mohicans quotes below are all either spoken by Magua or refer to Magua. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
“Savagery,” Civilization, and the Frontier Theme Icon
).
Chapter 2 Quotes

Should we distrust the man because his manners are not our manners, and that his skin is dark?

Related Characters: Cora Munro (speaker), Magua
Page Number: 14
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 4 Quotes

A Huron! They are a thievish race, nor do I care by whom they are adopted; you can never make anything of them but skulks and vagabonds.

Related Characters: Hawkeye (speaker), Magua
Page Number: 34
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10 Quotes

Yes, the pale-faces are prattling women! They have two words for each thing, while a redskin will make the sound of his voice speak for him.

Related Characters: Magua (speaker), Duncan Heyward
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 99
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 11 Quotes

And am I answerable that thoughtless and unprincipled men exist, whose shades of countenance may resemble mine?

Related Characters: Cora Munro (speaker), Magua
Page Number: 111
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 29 Quotes

If the Great Spirit gave different tongues to his red children, it was that all animals might understand them. Some He placed among the snows, with their cousin the bear. Some he placed near the setting sun, on the road to the happy hunting-grounds. Some on the lands around the great fresh waters; but to his greatest, and most beloved, he gave the sands of the salt lake.

Related Characters: Magua (speaker)
Page Number: 350
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 32 Quotes

The pale-faces are dogs! The Delawares women! Magua leaves them on the rocks, for the crows!

Related Characters: Magua (speaker)
Page Number: 393
Explanation and Analysis:
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Magua Quotes in The Last of the Mohicans

The The Last of the Mohicans quotes below are all either spoken by Magua or refer to Magua. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
“Savagery,” Civilization, and the Frontier Theme Icon
).
Chapter 2 Quotes

Should we distrust the man because his manners are not our manners, and that his skin is dark?

Related Characters: Cora Munro (speaker), Magua
Page Number: 14
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 4 Quotes

A Huron! They are a thievish race, nor do I care by whom they are adopted; you can never make anything of them but skulks and vagabonds.

Related Characters: Hawkeye (speaker), Magua
Page Number: 34
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 10 Quotes

Yes, the pale-faces are prattling women! They have two words for each thing, while a redskin will make the sound of his voice speak for him.

Related Characters: Magua (speaker), Duncan Heyward
Related Literary Devices:
Page Number: 99
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 11 Quotes

And am I answerable that thoughtless and unprincipled men exist, whose shades of countenance may resemble mine?

Related Characters: Cora Munro (speaker), Magua
Page Number: 111
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 29 Quotes

If the Great Spirit gave different tongues to his red children, it was that all animals might understand them. Some He placed among the snows, with their cousin the bear. Some he placed near the setting sun, on the road to the happy hunting-grounds. Some on the lands around the great fresh waters; but to his greatest, and most beloved, he gave the sands of the salt lake.

Related Characters: Magua (speaker)
Page Number: 350
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 32 Quotes

The pale-faces are dogs! The Delawares women! Magua leaves them on the rocks, for the crows!

Related Characters: Magua (speaker)
Page Number: 393
Explanation and Analysis: