You could read Cooper's novel “The Last of the Mohicans” and find it extremely difficult to read, of course, it is not a modern novel at all, but if the reader is a fan of modern 20th century stage play as well as other late 18th and early 19th century literary works such as Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" or Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women", can be quite pleasant. As a literary form, the novel was still in its infancy when Cooper wrote “The Last of the Mohicans.” For its time, Cooper's book achieved a lot and set a higher standard for the novels that followed. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To start, this story was written nearly 200 years ago and describes an era about 50 years before the publication date. As such, the writing style is meticulous, meaning that a lot of time and carefully placed words go into describing the physical environment. For example, instead of describing the encounter between a Mohican (Chingachgook) and a European (Hawkeye) in the forest as a beautiful July afternoon, Cooper writes: “On that day, two men might be observed, loitering on the banks of a small but rapid stream, an hour's walk from Rete's camp, like someone waiting for the appearance of an absent person, or the approach of some expected event. The vast canopy of woods stretched to the river's edge, overhanging the water, and shading its dark, glassy current with a deeper hue. The sun's rays began to grow less violent, and the intense heat of the day was lessened, while the cooler vapors of the springs and fountains rose above their leafy beds, and rested in the atmosphere. Unfortunately, this also means that the story can sometimes drag a bit as the reader digests the exact coloring of the trees or the flow of water in the streams. However, it is still a very compelling story. If the reader embraces the plot and characters, they should have no problem reading the book. Others who lack the ability to focus on the story at hand and/or the struggles of the characters, written as eloquently and accurately as an artist painting the canvas, may have more difficulty. Some comments on the "racial undertones" of the story one might postulate is simply a retelling of "how things were" at the time. When Cooper writes, "Letting the unsuspecting Heyward, and his trusting comrades, penetrate even deeper into a forest that contained such traitorous inmates," he is not racist or demeaning, he is simply using the vocabulary of the day to paint a picture . A less in-depth vocabulary would undoubtedly water down and diminish the authenticity of the story. The reader should find no legitimate issues with the portrayal of the various non-white characters since at the time the story is set, this is actually how they were characterized in society. Non-whites are sometimes portrayed as savages, but only at the behest of whites who have deluded them with empty promises, otherwise they are shown to be reasonable, humane, and yes, “noble.” Please note: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Finally, you need to refrain from trying to apply today's morals, beliefs, and social standards when reading "The Last of the Mohicans." Literature is meant to both enlighten and entertain, and "The Last of the Mohicans" does both, but to fully absorb it, the reader must first suspend their own prejudices and beliefs.