Higher Critical Essay

1. Higher Critical Essay The Cone Gatherers

2. Prelim Question example Many of you chose a particular question in the prelim, and, with one or two exceptions, it was not done particularly well. The question asked you to • choose a novel with a “violent or disturbing incident”, • to “explain briefly what happens during this incident” • discuss to what extent the incident is important to your understanding of the text as a whole

3. Main Problems • Not saying from the start which incident you were dealing with • Not beginning with an account of the incident • Explaining what events led up to that incident rather than why it was important to your understanding of the novel as a whole

4. Why an incident or key event was “important to your understanding of the novel as a whole”- what does this mean? It means that you have to show why this incident was important to your understanding of aspects of the novel such as: • Plot development • Characterisation • Setting • Central concerns and themes

5. This is a typical prose question • Although this exact question may not appear in the final exam, something very similar could. Often there is a question about an incident which is- shocking, emotional, disturbing, a turning point AND you will always be asked to explain why it is key to our understanding of the novel as a whole • It is vital that you learn how to tackle an “incident” question properly. • We will use the prelim question as a model

6. Planning an essay • Using the climax as your key event- it is a disturbing/ violent incident. ( The “deer drive” was in some ways a better choice, but only a couple of people chose that) • Introductory paragraph • Brief (very brief) summary of the novel • “The violent and disturbing climax to the novel ‘The Cone Gatherers’ by Robin Jenkins is an incident which is key to the reader’s understanding of many aspects of the novel as a whole. The novel, set on a Scottish country estate during WW2 is primarily a tale of conflict between…..

7. Begin the task properly- 2nd paragraph • Explain what happens in the incident AND why it is key to your understanding of the novel, because it ties together/ provides an effective conclusion to certain elements: • Characterisation of Duror and Calum • the plot development- this was the way it HAD to end • how it was foreshadowed by an earlier violent incident AND because it helps us to understand • symbolism • Themes You would not go into any detail at this point, just say that is why it is such an important incident

8. Suggested opening – paragraph 2 “The violent incident forms the climax to the novel. Duror, furious at Neil and Calum’s refusal to rescue Roderick from a tree, storms off to find them. Lady Runcie Campbell on being told this, and being aware of Duror’s disturbed state of mind ….” Explain what she does and then- look at pages 180-181 Explain what she sees and why it is so “disturbing” to the reader Then summarise briefly the importance of the incident: “This incident is I believe so important to the novel because….. ( The points you mention here will be dealt with fully in the essay.)

9. Main body of the essay Deal with each point in turn: Characterisation of Duror- how he has developed as a character to this inevitable point- exposition, “conscious surrender to evil” behaviour at the deer drive ,his internal conflict what he has been hoping for to “free” him. Add evidence- ( which you need to analyse) PEA- Point, Evidence, Analysis • “ icy sweat of hatred…” • “up to his neck in filth” • tree imagery • How he looks when lady RC last sees him • How we feel

10. Characterisation of Calum His innocence and goodness- some evidence. • Exposition- chaffinches- he is like Saint Francis • His sadness about the rabbit • His love for his brother • Choose quotations to back up this point and analyse them • PEA • How Calum is at the end when lady R.C sees him. How this summarises/ concludes what we know about him as a character

11. Key Event which leads to this point • Climax has been foreshadowed by the deer drive • Turning point for plot and for Duror- Duror’s realisation • “The climax of the novel helps the reader to realise the importance in the plot of a previous key event- the Deer Drive in Chapter 6…”. (Do not recount the whole incident, just the important parts- especially Duror’s realisation. Quote and analyse). PEA • “The plot development from this point was always going to lead to the climax……”

12. Theme and symbolism • Good v Evil How this has been a key theme throughout the novel and how the climax/ ending helps us to understand it even more Quote and analyse PEA • Class Conflict How this has been a key theme throughout the novel and how the ending helps to resolve this Quote and analyse PEA

13. Conclusion and evaluation • Explain how this was the inevitable ending, and how it helps us to see how cleverly all the plot strands were woven together to lead to this • Duror’s hatred • Lady R.C’s snobbishness • Roderick’s misguided attempts to help • Neil’s bitterness • The build up of tension until we “hear” the gunshot “This was a very effective climax and ending to the novel because the writer’s clever/ skilful development of the plot led us to this point- and yet it was still shocking to the reader…”

14. Conclusion and evaluation continued Explain what the novel and this incident helped YOU to understand about life, human nature…. Explain what it made you think and feel.