Cover Letter

English 381 Literature and Cinema

Spring '10

Dear Reader,
There is an interesting story behind my enrolling into this class because I had to go through the head of advising to get this class approved for the LA general requirement.  Without this class it was a possibility of not having my requirements to graduate.

My intentions coming in this class was like most students who need to fulfill a Literary Arts General Education requirement along with the attitude of a Senior with one semester left.  The phrase "JUST PASS!" filled my head.  Being that I needed this class to graduate, I had to pass.

Once I signed up for the class I envisioned a class where we just discuss books and their film adaptation.  Little did I know, that we would be doing that but to the farthest extreme possible.

Last of the Mohicans was a work and film that I haven't really looked at since middle and high school.  During and after watching the movie, I could recollect some of the notions and themes presented in the movie as discussed in my earlier classes. (specifically high school)  In discussing this movie and long lasting American legendary novel, it put into perspective the aspects and elements it takes in completing an adaptation not only in film but pop culture in general. 

After reviewing how we tackled Last of the Mohicans, it was put in to context how the class would be structured and how we would be evaluating the works that we will be discussing throughout the semester.  The close comparisons and translations of characters and themes were key in dissecting the movies and literature.

Last of the Mohicans, the most recent film version, seems to have taken the excessive and eloquent words used in the book by James Fenimore Cooper and exchanged them for brilliant camera work and an impressive score. It was very interesting to see the progression of this piece from book, to silent film, to 1930s film, to modern day film. Along the way, the piece changed from an extremely descriptive collection of words to a film which used a brief set of words, and limited camera technology. In the final product, the modern film, Last of the Mohicans was both a technological and cinematic epic. I found it to be particularly moving, and thought that the score was a major function in creating such an amazing picture.

Good Morning,

I viewed The Last of the Mohicans this weekend.  During the opening scenes I was particularly aware of the music/nature backdrop.  I think the opening music does an excellent job at portraying the majesty of nature when juxtaposed with the scene of the fog rolling over the mountains at dawn; however, I do not feel that it was true to the feeling of "wildness"  that the book relates.   In addition, I feel that some music by Enigma was in order.  The album Cross of Changes, and specifically the song "Silent Warrior"  could fit in with the themes of the movie.  The song deals with the decimation of Native populations "in the name of God." Awesome song/awesome album.

Album Cover:

Silent Warrior:

19

Read I hated tonto, still do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjQPxtMv3vY

12 -- intro, the map of the class; 

14th

soundtrack assignment

Last of the Mohicans

Electronic Text