HI 325C The Frontier - Essay Example

HI 325C The Frontier Part The Frontier This part will discuss the virtues and skills which Carson acquires in his early years as a trapper and hunter in his exploits in the Trans-Mississippi West. This part will also evaluate how Kit Carson uses those virtues and skills to overcome challenges and hardships in the Rocky Mountains. Kit Carson acquires a number of virtues and skills in his early years as a trapper and hunter in his exploits in the Trans-Mississippi West. One, Kit Carson becomes persistent. After voyaging for approximately five hundred miles, almost half the distance back to Missouri, the entourage reaches a ford of the Arkansas River. While they are at the ford of the Arkansas River they come into contact with another group of traders heading to Santa Fe. Kit Carson eagerly joined the traders. Earlier, he was reluctant to head back home. This is a sign of persistence he acquires in his exploits in the Trans-Mississippi West. Two, he learns a different language, the Spanish language. Carson’s knowledge of the Spanish language turns into a beneficial investment to him (Abbott 12). This makes him entrusted with the duty of both acting as an interpreter and as a guide. His services are deemed extremely indispensable and he is given significant rewards. Finally, he learns to be keen. Nothing passes by Carson’s zealous eyes. His entire appearance is that of an individual profoundly fixed with a sense of the duty of his workplace. Kit Carson never exposes himself during night time. He spreads his blanket where the light from the fire cannot expose him. Kit Carson uses those virtues and skills to overcome challenges and hardships in the Rocky Mountains. One, he uses his keenness to protect himself and other traders. One instance when Kit Carson’s promptness of action is tested is the night when an inexperienced guard alerts them of invading Indians. Kit Carson is seen to be on his feet in an instant with a pistol on his hand (Abbott 12). It is asserted that the loss of a single second may give an enemy the opportunity to launch its attack and disappear in the dark night. Kit Carson reacts quickly and shoots his mule. Nevertheless, it is a false alarm. Two, his persistence enables him to hunt for food and find a suitable location to set camp. Carson travels for over fifty miles with his mule and horse, looking at every stream and creek, being on the lookout for any indication of a beaver. Kit Carson selects a location for his camp after travelling past a meandering stream circling through the centre, which he believes has a large number of beavers (Abbott 17). Finally, his acquaintance of the Spanish language becomes a beneficial investment to him. It enables him to retain everything that the expert ranger of the woods convey in respect to the topography of the Far West, the challenges to be encountered, and the ways of dealing with them. Part 2 Last of the Mohicans This part will discuss whether the movie Last of the Mohicans portray the Trans-Appalachian frontier of the 1750s as a bloody “no-man’s-land” between clashing empires, or as a “middle ground” in which settlers and natives interact peacefully and exchange culture on equal terms. It will also evaluate whether it portrays Indians as bloodthirsty and savage or as peaceful and virtuous, and look at how the British and French officials in this film differ in their attitude toward Indians and colonial settlers. The movie portrays the Trans-Appalachian frontier of the 1750s as a bloody “no-man’s-land” between clashing empires. From the start of the movie there is a battle for the control of colonial America by the French and British troops. The British troops seek military assistance from a number of Native American war groups who are not willing to leave their residence undefended. As the French and British soldiers fight for the control of the North America, the natives and the settlers are compelled to take sides. In recruiting Native Americans for their military battles, the Trans-Appalachian frontier of the 1750s is depicted as a bloody “no-man’s-land” between clashing empires. Both empires were only interested in occupying North America regardless of the deaths and destructions it would cause to the people. The bloody war between these empires led to the loss of numerous lives and destruction of a large number of properties. The fighting was fierce and the battles were raging (Mann 1). The movie also portrays Indians as bloodthirsty and savage. Magua, one of the Indians acting as guide of the English, led a group of English soldiers astray in a thick forest. While they were there, Magua alerted his fellow Indians and carried out an assault on the surprised and vulnerable English soldiers. In addition, the Indians were cruelly primitive and came out in large numbers into the attack with hatchets and knives in their hands. For the English soldiers, rifle butts could not match the quick crude actions of the Indians. Moreover, Magua was not satisfied with the attack of the English troops. He considered a secret assault while he was concealed in the shadows. Magua still longed for the blood of the English leader who had killed his fellow Indians and made his wife to leave him for another man. It may be argued that Magua possessed inward hate in him that would not be subdued without killing more English soldiers. It is also evident that Magua promises to take the heart of the English commander and get rid of his seed (Mann 1). The British and French officials in this film differ in their attitude toward Indians and colonial settlers. On one hand, the British officials require and value the help of Indians and colonial settlers. On the other hand, the French officials do not need or value the assistance of Indians and colonial settlers. The British entrust local Indians to guide them as they attempt to help their suffering associates. Conversely, the French spare the British settlers on condition that they return to their homes and abandon the port (Mann 1). Work Cited Abbott, J. S. C. Christopher Carson. Massachusetts: IndyPublish, 2005. Print. Last of the Mohicans. Dir. Mann, M. Perf. Day-Lewis, D., Stowe, M., and May, J. Warner Brothers, 1992. Film. Read More