Class Conflict in The Cone Gatherers by Robin Jenkins
Explore the dynamics of class conflict in Robin Jenkins' novel, "The Cone Gatherers." The story delves into the interactions between the upper, middle, and lower classes through characters like Sir Colin, Lady Runcie-Campbell, Neil, and Callum. Themes of social hierarchy, resentment, and compassion are intricately woven into the narrative, offering a thought-provoking reflection on societal divisions and shifting perspectives.
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Class Conflict in The Cone Gatherers by Robin Jenkins
Upper Class The members of the upper class in the book are: Sir Colin, Lady Runcie-Campbell, Captain Forgan, Rodrick and Sheila Captain Forgan He doesn t appear much in the novel but appears to have aristocratic ideals Sir Colin: Sir Colin is a typical laird and believes ordinary people to be different from the upper classes. What d you expect, Elizabeth? They re brutes under the skin y know. [ ] After the war they ll be trying to drag us down to their level. It s up to us to see they don t manage it b(p.198) He also believes heaven has a class structure but his wife doesn t agree due to being Christian. He sees the war as a threat to the class structure, whereas Neil sees it as hope for change. Lady Runcie-Campbell: She sways between her instinctive ideas about rank and her Christianity. This can be seen when she feels bad for not given the cone gatherers a lift in the car Last night while praying she d been overwhelmed again by knowledge of her own unworthiness (p.135) She sometimes attempts to act for her husband in his absence. She blames Callum automatically for ruining the deer drive due to his lower class. Ends up in the same class as Neil and Callum when she needs them to save Rodrick.
Middle Class Dr Matheson is the only member of the middle class In the book He gives Duror a lift in his car, the car shows the difference in the classes. Duror had walked about a quarter of a mile down the road when a motor car, with masked headlights, overtook and passed him, hooting peevishly. [..] he recognised it as Dr Matheson's car (p.14)
Lower Class The members of the lower class in the book are: Neil, Callum, Duror, Peggy, Mrs Lochie and other employees Neil He resents the fact that Lady Runcie-Campbell lives in a mansion where they have to live in a small hut. Yonder s a house with fifty rooms, went on Neil every one of them three times the size of our hut, and nearly all of them empty Callum He doesn t understand the class system.
Bibliography The Cone Gatherers by Robin Jenkins. Published 1991 by Longman Group Limited Scotnotes Robin Jenkins s The cone Gatherers by Iain Crichton Smith Published 1995 by ASLS
