‘THE CONE-GATHERERS’

‘THE CONE-GATHERERS’ ROBIN JENKINS

Introduction • ‘The Cone-Gatherers’ by Robin Jenkins is set in Scotland during World War II. It is set on the estate of the Runcie-Campbell’s, a wealthy Scottish family. • The action takes place over a few days in Autumn in the forest on the estate. The trees are to be cut down to provide wood for the war effort. • The cones from the trees are to be collected before the forest is destroyed so that the trees can be replaced. • Brothers Calum and Neil have been sent to do this hard, demanding work.

Themes The main themes that we will be studying are: Good versus Evil Class conflict War Jenkins cleverly uses imagery to convey depth of meaning below the surface: Trees Weather Seasons People

Chapter One In the opening chapter we are introduced to Calum and Neil who are high in the trees gathering cones. It is set during WWII and the forest is to be cut down for wood and needs to be replaced. Thus the reason for gathering cones. We also find out that Calum is very compassionate to animals and is very sensitive to their pain. He has released rabbits from their traps which angers Duror, the main character in the novel. The reader begins to learn of Duror’s shocking opinions. He hates the brothers, particularly Calum because of his deformity and wants him out of his wood.

Chapter One Good v Evil You will be given the context of various points in the novel and you must provide the textual reference (quote/evidence) and provide a comment (analysis) • The theme of good v evil is developed in the opening chapter through: • Setting • The character of Calum • The character of Duror

Example Good v Evil - Setting From the top of the trees Calum and Neil can see a ship on the loch. ‘A destroyer steamed seawards, with a sailor singing cheerfully.’ P1 The reference to a destroyer reminds us that the novel is set during World War Two. Symbolically, perhaps the destroyer represents Duror, the sailor Calum, who is ‘singing’, oblivious of danger. The juxtaposition of the cheerful sailor and the warship hints at the coexistence of good and evil.

Good - Calum • Calum has a childlike innocence and an affinity with nature • Calum cannot understand why animals kill each other • He successfully blocks out the war • The extent of Calum’s love of animals is realised when he sees a rabbit in distress • Calum is skilled in carving – nature • Description of the brothers

Evil - Duror The brothers foreshadow events Calum’s compassion for the rabbits angers Duror He vows to get rid of the brothers Duror spies on the brothers – his hatred revealed Duror thinks that his obsession with the brothers is a ‘noose of disgust’ – comment fully Shocking revelation from Duror’s childhood. His revulsion of anything imperfect stems from childhood. There is an indication that Duror may act on his feelings of hatred He is obsessed with the brothers and cannot help spying on them Shockingly, Duror supports the Nazi regime He fanaticises about murder We become aware that the hared in Duror will not leave him without tragic consequences

Class The brothers live in squalid conditions Neil is aware of the vast differences between them and the Runcie-Campbells He questions their living accommodation when there are more suitable, humane solutions

Setting Significance of the war – good versus evil, Duror, Calum The silver firs – class The cone-gatherer’s hut – class

Chapter two In chapter two we meet Dr. Matheson as Duror is walking home form the woods. He offers Duror a lift home, for which Duror is an inconvenience as he will have to make small talk with the doctor. The doctor seems to be more interested in the lack of food due to the war and is not at all happy about it as he is used to fine food such as venison and whiskey. Duror returns home to a desperately unhappy home life. His wife, Peggy, is morbidly overweight and is bedridden. We also meet the dour, hostile mother-in-law Mrs Lochie. She blames Duror for her daughter’s misfortune and wants him to spend more time with her. We are of course, aware that Duror is repelled by anything that is deformed.

Chapter TwoDuror Duror meets Dr. Matheson. We can tell he is not happy about having to talk to the doctor Duror’s wife Peggy is morbidly obese. Why is this so significant? When asked about Peggy he is compared to a tree. What does this tell us about his relationship? The doctor is suspicious that despite Duror’s stalwart and stoic appearance, something dark lurks in his mind The doctor admires Duror’s stoic nature Duror is desperately unhappy at home yet he hides his suffering Duror thinks of the cone-gatherer’s and how he is becoming obsessed Has Duror known than his sanity would, at one time, escape him?

Duror’s unhappy home life • Duror wishes that he could be in the ‘miserable hut’ rather than be at home Mrs Lochie • She, like Duror will never show her suffering • Mrs Lochie is aware of, and not afraid to comment on, Duror’s dissatisfaction with his married life Peggy • Duror likens Peggy with Calum • Peggy and Duror were, at one time, happy

Duror’s Madness Duror has a strong bond with his dogs His dogs then sense the inner turmoil in their master’s mind as he fantasises about thrashing them – he manages to regain control We first hear of the deer drive and the hatching of the evil plan to create immense suffering for the brothers At the end of the chapter Duror remarks ‘it too late’ and ‘as an infant separated from his mother in a great crowd’ – what does he mean?

Chapter Three In this chapter we are introduced to Lady Runcie-Campbell’s rather clumsy son, Roderick. We are also introduced to his sister Sheila and their uncle Captain Forgan. It is in this chapter that Duror involves Mrs. Morton, the cook-housekeeper, and Lady RC in his plan to destroy the cone-gatherers.

The Runcie-Campbells Roderick – a clumsy child Captain Forgan says he is envious of Duror’s life on the estate. However Duror would much rather be at war – note Duror’s bitterness

Duror’s Lies Mrs Morton is used by Duror and becomes involved in his plot. She has shown no hostility towards the brothers Duror tells Mrs Morton that he saw Neil exposing himself in the woods and is a threat to young girls like Sheila Mrs Morton and Duror have feelings for each other but perhaps now Duror is incapable of love Duror admits to Mrs Morton that he needs help

Chapter Four Day two – in a discussion with Lady RC, Duror suggests that Calum and Neil be used as beaters. She asks Mr Tulloch and he agrees that they can be used. However, he phones back to explain that Calum has scruples over being a beater. Lady RC asks Duror for advice and her Christian values are overcome by her aristocratic values. Later though she proposes a compromise – that only Neil be used. Duror will have none of it. Thus the fateful deer hunt is to go ahead.

Lady Runcie CampbellClass • Lady Runcie Campbell struggles with her Christian Values, she should be compassionate to those less fortunate than her. However, her aristocratic status often contradicts this. The theme of class often explores this contradiction (note how she was so easily persuaded by Duror to make them stay in the hut) • Lady cannot understand Roderick’s admiration for Neil • Lady RC does not want the brothers near her home • Tulloch explains Calum’s squeamishness to Lady RC and she refuses to understand (conflict between Christianity and class) CALUM • Lady RC directly compares him to Christ

DurorEvil Duror knows that his actions are wrong and will implicate Lady RC in his evil plan Imagery is used to convey the fact that he is aware he is overcome with evil (filth) Roderick’s dislike of Duror Duror considers another opportunity for evil – he imagines that Roderick has a terrible accident and dies He does not understand why he responded the way he did Imagery used to describe the terrible lies Another admission from Duror that he is totally aware of all the evil he is doing: Peggy, Mrs Morton, to destroy the CG’s

Chapter Five In this chapter we learn of Neil’s worries over Calum. He is fearful of Calum’s fate should anything happen to him. Duror tries to climb the tree but suffers from dizziness. The brothers learn that they must take part in the deer hunt. Neil, furious on behalf of Calum, tells Duror that they are ‘free men’ and that they will not take part. Calum, out love for his brother, agrees to try his best to take part.

Class • The hut is a symbol of humiliation for Neil • Neil is humble and believes that the RC’s represent the power of the world Evil • Neil is aware of the hatred that Duror has for him and his brother but cannot understand it

Task Explain how the writer’s language in paragraph four of page 71 conveys Duror’s fear and his attitude to it. You should refer to word choice, sentence structure and imagery. 6 marks two marks for each technique.

CHAPTER SIXTHE DEER HUNT Lady Runcie-Campbell organises a deer hunt in honour of hr brother, Captain Forgan, who is on leave from serving in WWII. Neil is outraged on behalf of Calum that they have been asked to act a beaters. Neil insists that they do not take part. It is in this chapter that Duror reveals to others the psychological problems he has been experiencing.

CHAPTER SIXTHE DEER HUNT This chapter is a turning point for many reasons. Up to this point it has only been the reader who has been aware of the evil within Duror. At the deer hunt his deterioration is exploited publicly. It is also the point at which it is clear that the cone-gatherers will no longer be able to remain in the woods. Furthermore, after the deer hunt, we are to a large extent, shut off from Duror’s thoughts. We do not see him very often in the rest of the novel and often only through the eyes of other characters.

The Deer HuntDUROR • Duror’s nightmare – he reveals his mental state to others Find examples and analyse (there are many) • His plan to kill Calum is connected to the fact that he has come to hate his wife and longs to be rid of her Find examples and analyse • Duror has repressed his feelings which is why he appears stoic and ‘stalwart’ Find examples and analyse • Duror’s intense hatred of Calum continues to grow and it is shocking to the reader to discover that his evil plan to rid them from the wood is far from over (reference to Christ)

Climax of the Deer Hunt Calum, with overwhelming sympathy for the deer flings himself upon the deer, regardless of his own safety Duror laughs like a madman He carries out the savage attack on the deer He askes for Peggy in a state of confusion He furiously attacks Calum It seems that both Duror and Lady RC blame Calum for the horrific events Duror’s misery returns with the realisation that his wife is not dead

The Deer HuntCLASS Lady Runcie-Campbell is horrified at the outcome of the deer hunt. She automatically blames Calum. However we also notice that Lady Runcie-Campbell believes in the system of privilege and tries to make sure that her Christianity justifies it. It is in this chapter that we see Roderick and Mr Tulloch try to bridge the gap between lady RC and the cone-gatherers.

The Deer Hunt CLASS • Mr Tulloch and Captain Forgan mistake Duror’s motives for attacking Calum Explain this with reference to the text and analyse • Lady RC sides with Duror in blaming Calum Find evidence and analyse • Mr Tulloch is a decent man. He is fair and expects others, including Lady RC to be the same. Find evidence and analyse • Roderick is also fair and he can see that unfairness in the treatment of the cone-gatherers. Find evidence and analyse • The silver fir trees act as a barrier between the upper and lower classes. If the cones are not gathered, the trees will not be replaced after the war Discuss with close reference to the text (symbolism)

“…there by the dead deer he understood…why he hated the hunchback so profoundly and yet was so fascinated by him. For many years his life had been stunted, mishappen, obscene, and hideous; and this misbegotten creature was its personification.”

Chapter 7 Close Reading Context questions: Explain how the context of the opening sentence lets you understand the meaning of “iridescence”. (2 Marks) Explain how the context of the sentence “Afterwards…stood for” lets you understand the meaning of “denunciation”. (2 Marks)

“iridescence”. a lustrous rainbow-like play of colour caused by differential refraction of light waves (as from an oil slick, soap bubble, or fish scales) that tends to change as the angle of view changes. “Gold at noon”, “afterwards blue skies” “denunciation” : a public statement that strongly criticizes someone or something as being bad or wrong : a statement that denounces something or someone “Burst out”, “passionate” “lady and what she stood for”,

Chapter 7 Close Reading Imagery questions: Fully explain how Tulloch’s imagery helps to communicate his point in the last sentence of page 98. (3 marks) Write down a phrase from page 99 that summarises what Tulloch’s point was.

Chapter 7 Close Reading Explain fully how sentence structure is used by Neil to illustrate the contrasting maturity of the two characters. (4 marks)

Chapter 7 Key Points Examine how well treated and accepted Calum and Neil are in Lendrick and Ardmore. Contrast with LRC’s estate. You are given a clear understanding of the attitude to conscientious objectors on page 108.

Chapter 8CLASS Lady RC takes her children to the pictures. They meet Calum and Neil and Roderick suggests that they give them a lift back otherwise they will have to walk but Sheila strongly objects. Consider the views of Lady RC, Roderick, Sheila and Duror and their reaction to Roderick’s suggestion that they should be offered a lift home

Chapter 9DUROR/THEME Duror returns from his consultation with Dr. Matheson Here we witness Duror's inner turmoil. This is how he really feels – he is a man on the brink, as his physical positioning at the edge of the pier highlights. The actions which he considers are not only brutal, but final. Furthermore, there is a direct contrast here between his outward appearance and his inner feelings. Duror “stared” at the water which would indicate that he is looking for himself, seeking an answer in his reflection. However, because it is night, he can see nothing below him but darkness. Thus there is no hope for him, no salvation. Duror appears to realise that he has reached the end. However the fact that he "halted" would suggest that he is unable to end his own suffering. Duror's longing for the end encourages sympathy from the reader. There is an inherent sadness here, and the realisation that death would be preferable to life is expressed through the use of the word "wish".

Chapter 9THE PUB • The men in the pub feel a degree of sympathy for Duror’s predicament with Peggy. • A soldier in the pub tells a joke about fighter pilot and an ape. • We learn that the brother’s mother committed suicide after the birth of Calum. FIND EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT

Chapter 10CLASS • Lady RC makes her usual visit to Peggy. The theme of class is exemplified by the behaviour of both women: Lady RC cannot stand Peggy’s ‘fawning’ manner while Peggy ‘simpers’ and fawns over her because she is an aristocrat. FIND EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT

Chapter 10RODERICK • Sir Colin has concerns about his son. He writes letters in which he wishes to be reassured about Roderick’s ‘manner of speaking…to the lower orders’. He believes that failure to adhere to the class structure would be ‘downright disastrous’. • Roderick however admires the cone-gatherers and his desire to visit them after his mother would refused them a lift, makes him lie to her. • Roderick in the wood – references to Christian in ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ a religious allegory FIND EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT

Chapter 10RODERICK • This ‘quest’ is very improtant to Roderick. He wishes to give them a ‘cake of friendship’ • The cake should take the form of a reparation • He thinks of the journey through the wood as a pilgrimage – imaginative • He sees Duror and thinks of his as evil and wonders if he has gone mad. • He wishes to protect the cone-gatherers from Duror • Roderick feels frightened when he notices Duror – he feels defeated. FIND EVIDENCE FROM THE TEXT

THE BEACH HUTChapter 11 This incident is important because it reinforces: Social class/Neil’s bitterness Calum’s goodness Duror’s evil LRCs battle between Christianity and class

The Storm Chapter starts with a storm approaching. This has two purposes, a literal and a figurative. Literally, storms are violent so the storm is a metaphor for violence. “…indigo clouds had been mustering” reflects early hints at inevitability of outcome whilst “black clouds were now overhead. Thunder snarled” pg 121 represents the growing animosity of Duror. It is an indication of what’s about to happen with Duror. “yet…peace and brightness persisted” pg 122 could be seen as Calum’s goodness – not yet extinguished or Roderick’s growing sense of justice and compassion for the men.

Calum’s goodness/Neil’s bitterness Calum asks Neil if he saw the light – Calum asks if it is heaven ( this shows the extent of Calum’s innocence and Neil’s realism “there was no merciful god” pg 123.) This is relevant because Calum is about to be killed. Neil is lower down in the tree – partly because of his rheumatism and partly because Calum is a better climber. It also makes Calum nearer to death/God/heaven. Their individual disabilities make them more vulnerable in the face of the storm and the fact that “they were the only living creatures left in the treetops” pg 120 increases the isolation that they have been battling against since their first days on the estate. Their position is also representative of their vulnerability.

LRCs battle between Christianity and class They head for the beach hut Calum knows that they’re not allowed “the lady will be angry again” “this represented not only dryness and warmth but humanity”. This is another by-product of Duror’s evil. LRC WOULD have let the CGs have the beach hut but Duror talked her out of it. She has no idea about their living conditions BUT doesn’t care enough to find out herself. The storm itself is symbolic of LRC herself when she accosts them in a violent and uncontrollable fury

LRCs battle between Christianity and class The phrase “for God’s sake” is loaded with heavy irony – she is behaving in the most unchristian way. Her anger suggests that she is not only fighting for her property BUT her place in, and the survival of, the social system. When Calum says that Neil was only helping him keep dry she says “For Christ sake.” She has so much Christianity that she will not even let them be dry. p 130 “Your father’s right. After this war, the lower orders are going to be frightfully presumptuous”. This shows what Lady Runcie Campbell is like. She is scared she will lose her position. She doesn’t think that the working class should have any rights.

Social Class There are various points emphasising the gulf of wealth between Lady Runcie Campbell and Neil and Calum e.g. toys broken being replaced. Neil knows Calum would pick the toy, which is broken, because it is disfigured like him. It is a human figure – feels it might be hurt. Calum’s inherent goodness is shown once more through his initial apprehension and reluctance to enter the hut, and his desire to protect Neil and take the blame for their “astonishing impudence”. The toys are a physical representation of Neil’s resentments of the RCs. The broken toys represent their carelessness and easy disregard for others.

Social Class Lady RC goes mad when she sees that Neil and Calum have a fire going Neil is ashamed and doesn’t speak up “a lifetime of frightened submissiveness held it down”. This shows their lack of control over the social system in which they live. Neil’s inability to raise his head is symbolic of the class system and social prejudice that holds him down. They laugh at Calum because he can’t get his coat on. Sheila doesn’t recognise how wrong it is – she humiliates them. Roderick recognises his mother doing wrong again.

Social Class It is Calum and Neil’s fire but Lady Runcie Campbell is getting the benefits. This is a metaphor – the working class do all the work but the higher classes get the benefits.

Roderick's attitude Roderick’s face is described as ‘grave and tense’ following his mother’s outburst His mother is anxious about his ‘oversensitive conscience’ Lady RC remembers Duror’s treatment of Peggy and decides to talk to him about pity.

‘THE CONE-GATHERERS’