The Cone Gatherers

Characters

Antagonist: Duror serves as the primary antagonist in the novel. He is portrayed as an embittered and unhappy man, struggling with his personal life, particularly his marriage to Peggy, whom he finds grotesque. His disgust for his wife and his detachment from her are evident, and he constantly faces criticism from his mother-in-law.
Solitude and Madness: Duror seeks solace in the woods where he works as a gamekeeper, but his torment intensifies as he develops an intense hatred for Calum, one of the cone-gatherers. This hatred drives him to madness, resulting in his own demise. He becomes a symbol of evil in the novel, consumed by his relentless pursuit of Calum.
Motivations: Duror's motivations are complex. His suppressed sexuality and dissatisfaction with his life contribute to his growing revulsion for deformity and imperfection. His obsession with Calum's hunchbacked form leads him
Madness: Duror's growing obsession and hatred manifest in his appearance and actions. He becomes dishevelled, and his once-composed speech deteriorates into incoherent muttering. His descent into madness is marked by irrational behaviour, leading him to take extreme actions.

Symbol of Innocence: Calum embodies innocence in the novel. He has physical and learning disabilities and relies on his brother, Neil, for care and guidance. His simple, childlike nature perceives no prejudice or hatred, and he takes joy in simple pleasures, such as carving wooden animals.

Cone Gatherers Character Diagram

Cone Gatherers Setting Diagram

Diagram

Affinity with Nature: Calum displays a deep connection with the natural world, finding solace among the trees and while gathering cones. His empathy for nature is evident when he identifies with animals in the woods, sharing in their suffering, whether it's a rabbit caught in a snare or a deer hunted by man.
Goodness and Sacrifice: Calum represents goodness in the novel, assuming a Christ-like persona. His death serves as a sacrifice, allowing other characters, particularly Lady Runcie-Campbell, to learn the true meaning of Christianity. Calum's compassion and innocence stand in stark contrast to the hatred and prejudice displayed by other characters.
Bond with Neil: Calum's relationship with his brother, Neil, is central to his character. Neil cares for him and guides him through life, and their connection is strong. Calum's purity and empathy contrast with Neil's resentment and anger, leading to a tragic outcome.

Caretaker: Neil assumes the role of the adult figure who cares for his brother, Calum. He sacrifices his dreams of becoming a sailor to provide care and support to Calum, who has physical and learning disabilities. Neil's dedication to his brother is evident throughout the novel.
Awareness of Injustice: Neil is acutely aware of the injustices in the world and the tensions that arise in their lives. He suffers from rheumatism, which limits his ability to work outdoors. Neil recognizes the superiority of Calum's goodness but is angered by the class division and the mistreatment of those beneath the aristocracy, which contributes to his resentment.
Resentment and Revenge: Neil's resentment is directed at the upper class and the unfair treatment they endure. He seeks revenge by refusing to help Lady Runcie-Campbell's son, Roderick, climb down from a tree, believing that he and Calum should not be treated as inferior. Neil's anger and desire to break free from the constraints of an unequal society lead to tragic consequences for his brother.

Inner Conflict: Lady Runcie-Campbell experiences a conflict between her Christian values and her role as the head of the estate. She believes in treating everyone equally, but her position forces her to maintain the hierarchy. This inner conflict leads to her mistreatment of the cone-gatherers, and she struggles to find a balance between her beliefs.
Weakness: Lady Runcie-Campbell is portrayed as a weak character who makes several misjudgments. She places trust in Duror, ignoring his increasingly unsettling behaviour, and dismisses the cone-gatherers, ultimately betraying her Christian values. Her power to change events is undermined by her weakness, and she fails to prevent tragic outcomes.
Torn Between Ideologies: Lady Runcie-Campbell's character is torn between her Christian upbringing, which promotes equality and compassion, and her aristocratic role that enforces class distinctions. This struggle to reconcile her beliefs with her responsibilities defines her character's actions and decisions.

Heir to the Estate: Roderick is the only son and heir to the estate. Despite his physical weakness, he stands out from his mother by embracing the values of equality and justice. He is sympathetic to the cone-gatherers and disapproves of his mother's mistreatment of them.
Compassion and Dedication: Roderick's character is dedicated to the Christian values instilled in him by his grandfather. He displays a deep commitment to goodness and compassion, and he is portrayed as a pilgrim on a journey to uphold these values.
Attempt at Atonement: Roderick's journey to deliver a cake to the cone-gatherers is an attempt to atone for his mother's actions. He embodies a dedication to Christian values and a desire to bridge the class divide. However, his actions lead to tragic consequences, as he is prevented from reaching the cone-gatherers by Duror's malevolence.