For the Great Reading Challenge, I’ve chosen to read a book
over 100 years old. I read James Fenimore Cooper’s The Pioneers in part because I’ve had a worn dusty edition sitting
on my coffee table for the past year, but also (and the reason it’s been taking
up table space) because it is set during a time in American history I’ve wanted
to better understand. Particularly I’ve been curious about who these settlers
were, some of the events that happened in the country before they came, their
aspirations, and their continuing effect on the modern world. Basically, I wanted a
deeper understanding than the bits I remember from grade school.
The Pioneers is
the first book in Cooper’s five stories about his character Leatherstocking.
It has a common narrative style of the 19th century: richly detailed
with descriptions of the setting and characters, and it strolls along at a leisurely
pace. With the book being over 400 pages, it takes some time to get into the rhythm
of plot and language. That being said, this style isn’t for everyone. I was a
little skeptical when Cooper warned in the introduction that the book is a
“descriptive tale” and that he wrote it solely for personal satisfaction.
I figured it could go one of two ways: a directionless rambling with
explanations of every type of tree he encountered and a long geological survey
of the area; or, since it was inspired by personal passion, it might be a unique
glimpse into that time period. I was happy to discover that my second
speculation was closer. Although the descriptions at the beginnings of chapters
(mostly in the first half of the book) can be quite long before any action
happens, I feel they add depth to the story and help place the reader into that
world.
The Pioneers is
loosely based on Cooper’s own life: his father founded Cooperstown, New York, with
the parallel in the story being the fictional town of Templeton, founded by
Judge Marmaduke Temple (possibly bearing some resemblance to Cooper’s actual
father). This character is treated with fairness – he believes in the justness
and fairness of the law, but also believes the land is his because of the
document given to him from his country. We find a constant conflict with Temple's beliefs in the character of Nathaniel (Natty) Bumppo, also known as Leatherstocking (the Davy Crockett-like hero of Cooper’s novels).
Even though much of the book is descriptive, Cooper
introduces an engaging storyline and scenes of suspense. The reader is introduced to threatening wild
animals, hunting mishaps, wild fires, and blossoming romance. The descriptions
and narrative serve the bigger part of pushing forward Cooper’s beliefs. The
book is written with much reverence toward the Native Americans' lifestyle, but
also pathos toward the settlers (well, some of the settlers). He’s highly
critical of the settlers, but makes his characters very human and relatable. The
character of Leatherstocking, who fought in the French and Indian War and adapted a
loner lifestyle with a Native American friend, represents the wisdom that comes
from knowing how to live off the land. Judge Templeton is an intelligent person and
understands the need to be conservative with the environment, but coming from a
different background also believes in the fairness of the law invented by
civilized men. Although presenting opposing philosophies, Cooper is fair with both
these characters and paints them as some of the most reasonable in the book,
although Leatherstocking is more clearly the hero.
Some of the settlers
represent what we might recognize as our least admirable qualities. Richard,
Templeton’s cousin, amplifies this position in his boastfulness and lavish
attitude toward the land and animals. His extravagance is displayed when he
wheels in a cannon to shoot at pigeons. Not content with the settlers shooting down
as many as they can get, he wants to prove that he can get it done in one “fell
swoop of destruction.” Cooper’s environmentalist philosophy is displayed in
many of the character interactions in the novel. These early reflections of our impact on the
environment remain especially powerful today.
For those ready to invest themselves in this book, The Pioneers acts as a meditation on our
American way of life. Although history already took the course the settlers set
in motion, these early insights into the minds of the pioneers help us to
connect with a larger picture of what it means to be an American, forcing the
reader to think critically about our relationship with the natural world. Besides
the strong message, the action and drama set up with Cooper’s characters keep
the story fun. All five stories starring Natty Bumppo can be checked out from
the library under the title The Leatherstocking Tales, containing perhaps the most famous story The Last of the Mohicans.
~Ben, Adult Services
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