Themes and Conflict in "The Cone Gatherers
The setting of "The Cone Gatherers" plays a crucial role in shaping the themes of beauty, conflict, and social class divisions. Initially depicted as idyllic, the forest transforms into a battleground where characters like Duror spiral into obsession and madness. The imagery of the silver firs symbolizes the barrier between social classes, while the closed community within the estate intensifies tensions and conflicts. Despite moments of kindness at Lendrick, the underlying tensions with the Runcie Campbells prevail, setting the stage for a gripping narrative of contrasts and character dynamics.
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The Cone Gatherers Setting
The Forest/ The Estate Initially, in Chapter One, the forest seems idyllic- a place of beauty and abundance. The word choice gives this impression. p1- It was a good tree by the sea loch with many cones and much sunshine; it was homely too, with rests among its topmost branches as comfortable as chairs .home for tea. Could be seen as being like the Garden of Eden- adds to the religious, allegorical element of the novel, with Calum as a saintly/ Christ like figure, and Duror symbolisng evil. P1 Chaffinches fluttered around him .trust P9 Hidden among the spruces .icy sweat of hatred .
Contrast and Conflict Then contrast is introduced, and with it, the idea of conflict. (p1) a destroyer had steamed seawards.. aeroplanes had shot down from the sky over the wood.. gunshots had cracked far off in the wood. The war is there in the background, and the gunshots indicate/ foreshadow the conflicts to come. Nei gazes with bitter intentness at the big house.
Duror The forest HAS been his place of sanctuary, but for him now that has been spoiled, sullied, by the presence of the cone gatherers. P9 This wood had always been his stronghold and sanctuary . Virtues were gone This introduces conflict, and is also very important in terms of characterisation. Duror s downward spiral into obsession, madness and evil begins. Duror feels that if he can force the CG off the estate then his tormented mind will find peace.
The silver firs The fence of giant silver firs represents the barrier between social classes. (theme of class division/conflict) The big house is behind the trees, and the cone gatherers are not allowed to climb them, because they are too near the house. Lady RC does not want the cone gatherers near her. P1 from the tall larch could be glimpsed .behind its private fence of giant silver firs P47 You know my objection ..the windows.
A closed community The setting within the forest, and the estate creates a closed, claustrophobic community. (Only three chapters of the novel take place outside the estate). The cone gatherers/ Duror/ the Runcie Campbells are forced to live in close proximity to each other and cannot avoid contact. This helps to create conflict and build tension.
Lendrick When Neil and Calum visit Lendrick, they are treated with kindness and courtesy everywhere they go. (p85) This emphasises the fact that it is only within the close confines of the estate that they are treated so badly. Neil s mood, while in Lendrick is one of happiness. p86 As his rancour ..stunted The only tension within these chapters comes from meeting The Runcie Campbells. P90 Neil s dignity . Fumbled at his cap. (Links to theme of class conflict.)
A microcosm The forest and the estate are being used as a microcosm- a small version of the big world. Just as a war is going on in the outside world, so conflict of a different kind is going on within the estate. Class divisions which exist in the outside world are magnified within the close confines of the estate. Into this small location has been brought one of the biggest issues which affects the world- the battle between good and evil.
The weather/descriptions of the forest The weather and the language used to describe it, and the forest, is used to reflect the mood/ atmosphere and the gathering tension within the estate. Ch1- opening Opening paragraph of Chapter Three- next morning was so splendid ..recollections of a time of innocence before evil and unhappiness. Opening paragraph of Chapter Five They were safely in another good tree by the lochside .early mists over the loch. Neil s short lived mood of contentment.
The weather/ the forest- continued Chapter Five- p54. Calum- In the tree here was Calum s happiness .cushat doves were crooning Chapter six-p67. The dead ash clawed at the sky with branches white as bones. Under it, Duror, pale but smiling, issued orders. Chapter Seven- opening. Contrast with Ch5. On Saturday the beneficent weather the darkness amid its evergreen branches suited his mood. Chapter Eleven- the gathering storm- reflects and foreshadows the storm of conflict and anger (Lady R.C.) to come. In the tip of the tall larch .only living creatures left in the tree tops
Trees Calum is at home in the trees. This is to indicate his affinity with nature, and to symbolise his intrinsic innocence and goodness. Duror sees the forest as his stronghold and sanctuary, and used to find strength from the trees, but no longer can. Tree imagery related to the character of Duror: Linked to the setting is the very effective imagery used by the writer, to describe the battle which is going on within Duror,and the effect on him/ the changes which occur. P9 he could have named item by item leaf and fruit and branch, the overspreading tree of revulsion within him..about him.
Tree imagery- Duror- cont. Ch2, p22 For an instant he seemed to see a way clear; the tree within was illuminated to its darkest depths.. P26 Do you really .fruit madness Ch5-p58 It seemed to him therefore that he must therefore be far more ill and decayed than he thought. He was like a tree, still straight, still showing green leaves; but underground, death was creeping along the roots. * Ch8- p94 For of course the doctor .not the snarling of the tiger, nor the roaring of the storm through the tree of doom now high and ripe in him. Ch14 and now this sinister transformation in Duror ..swarming with worms. * (*Learn these)
Rodericks journey Roderick s journey through the forest takes him on a pilgrimage- a journey of reconciliation and a test of his courage, giving the journey an almost religious significance. the forest takes on a fairy tale quality for him. Therefore there was magic and terror through far off pillars of sunshine Then it is like a nightmare when he sees Duror: the lurker under the cypress, entangled in the thin green bony arms that curled out like an octopus s Here at the very hut was the most evil presence of all, and it was visible.
