Cora vs. Alice

Cora and Alice Munro, though sisters, juxtapose each other as a way to send a message about race. Cora is the dark-haired daughter who is not only racially mixed, but is also romantically drawn to the Indian, Uncas. She is seen coming up with the plan for Hawk-eye, Uncas, and Chingachgook to escape and find help. She is also seen conversing with Magua about the terms of their release and though it involves her capture, she doesn’t shrink back in fear. Cora is more outspoken than Alice. She isn’t necessarily wild but she still stands up for herself and shows courage throughout the novel.

Alice is one of the more frustrating characters because she seems weak and scared of everything that surrounds her. She is beautiful, genteel and romantic and we watch as Heyward falls in love with her. Unlike Cora, she is blonde, racially “pure”, and very feminine.

By contrasting the two sisters, Cooper could be indicating a link between race and this “wildness”. As though Cora could have been like her sister but because she is racially mixed, she stands out. Not only are her appearance and actions different, but also she seems to always be in the middle of trouble and doom.

Though Cooper may be referring to racial mixing negatively, Cora is such a powerful character because of her strength and bravery she continuously displays.