The Pioneers

The Pioneers has been called the first American Environmentalist novel. Why do you think this is? Do you agree or disagree?

Although all of the characters in the novel are Christian, they profess wildly different interpretations of religion. Discuss the different perspectives and forms of worship displayed and how they tie in with the themes of the novel.

Discuss the novel’s treatment of Native Americans and African-American characters. How might they have fit in with the views of white Americans of Cooper’s day, and how do they come across now?