Customer Reviews

The Pilot

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James Fenimore Cooper explored an important theme in this novel set during the Revolutionary War: will American Democracy be able to survive the freedoms granted to its people without falling into chaos from an inability to be commanded by a higher (even if elected) authority? Would rulers ever be able to govern where personal "rights" alone guided individual action? He resolved in this novel of the sea that they would (using John Paul Jones as his ruler), though you can't help but feel the mingling doubts in Cooper's prose: maybe they were just lucky this time.

Two ships, one piloted by Jones, are sent to raid England. Cooper makes clear that Jones has full authority as captain as he guides the ships through dangerous waters and no one questions his orders. Meanwhile in England there is Colonel Howard, a Tory who once lived in America but who has returned to England with his two daughters now that the colonists have begun their "damning crime" against the Crown. He is a strict conformer to the King's authority and believes the colonies are headed for utter chaos and calamity. But this obedience forces him to accept the dishonorable behavior of a good friend who breaks his word while delivering a flag of truce from the Americans. Cooper reveals the cracks that occur when strict obedience to authority clouds or removes personal judgments. On the American side, one of the sailors (Griffith) is (naturally) in love with one of Howard's daughters, and against Jones's orders, sneaks off to visit her and thus tips off the English that the American's are there, not only spoiling the possibility of making a successful raid, but causing the destruction of one of the ships. Thus by putting his personal desires above authority, Griffith causes a near disaster. Jones is able to assert his authority and guide everyone out of danger, but the question Cooper raises and explores is a good one and is the major interest of the book. (The love story, even the sea action, which is always a plus in Cooper's work, pale before the novel's theme about freedom and obedience). Definitely among Cooper's best novels.