What literary genre is "The Last of the Mohicans" classified as?

"The Last of the Mohicans," written by James Fenimore Cooper, is classified as a historical romance because it offers a blend of historical events and romantic elements within its narrative. This genre typically encompasses works that are set in a specific historical context, featuring characters, themes, and events that reflect the time period while weaving in a romantic subplot or focus on personal relationships.

In the case of this novel, the backdrop of the French and Indian War provides a rich historical setting against which the story unfolds. The romance between characters such as Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Cora Munro adds depth to the narrative, intertwining personal relationships with broader historical and cultural conflicts. This combination of history and romance is a hallmark of the historical romance genre, making it the appropriate classification for Cooper's work.

The other genres listed, such as science fiction, fantasy, and mystery, do not accurately describe the novel's elements or themes. Science fiction typically involves advanced technology or futuristic settings, while fantasy incorporates magical or supernatural elements, neither of which are present in Cooper's work. Mystery focuses on solving a crime or uncovering secrets, which is not the central theme here. Therefore, the classification as a historical romance is both fitting and precise.