The Cone Gatherers

Themes

War and Conflict

• War serves as a central theme in the novel, providing a backdrop to the conflicts and tensions among the characters.
• The presence of World War Two, symbolised by a destroyer at the beginning and a warship at the end, influences the characters' lives and actions.
• Conflict in the story is primarily driven by the tension between the cone-gatherers and the locals, particularly Duror and Lady Runcie-Campbell.
• Duror sees the cone-gatherers as invaders of the wood, which he considers his sanctuary, leading to his desire for revenge.
• Lady Runcie-Campbell feels that her territory is threatened by the presence of the cone-gatherers, creating a conflict between her and them.
• Internal conflicts are also prevalent, with Duror, Lady Runcie-Campbell, and Neil grappling with their own inner battles.
• Calum, in contrast, remains removed from such turmoil, displaying honesty, generosity, and meekness, setting him apart from the other characters.

Good versus Evil

• The novel explores the conflict between good and evil through the characters of Calum and Duror.
• Calum embodies goodness and innocence. He consistently shows compassion, even risking his own safety to comfort injured animals.
• His selflessness and willingness to sacrifice himself for others make him a Christ-like figure by the end of the story.
• Duror, in contrast, represents evil. He undergoes a downward spiral into madness, murder, and ultimately his own death.

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Prose

• Duror's cynicism and bitterness develop over time, leading him to blame Calum, who he views as the embodiment of God's representative on Earth, for his troubles.
• The theme of good versus evil intensifies as the story progresses, culminating in dramatic and horrific events.

Religion

• Religious elements are woven into the novel, with Christian symbolism and moral dilemmas playing a significant role.
• The battle between good and evil is linked to religious themes, with Calum's innocence and selflessness resembling Christ-like qualities.
• Duror's inner torment is likened to religious punishment, with his mind described as twisting like the snakes of damnation.
• The concept of the afterlife is explored, with Calum believing in an afterlife, while Neil is more cynical about its existence.
• Pathetic fallacy, where the weather reflects characters' emotions, underscores moral tests and conflicts in the story.

Nature

• Nature is a dominant theme, highlighting both the beauty and cruelty of the natural world and the natural order of predator and prey.
• Calum has a deep affinity with nature, appreciating its beauty and empathising with animals. He struggles to comprehend suffering and death in the natural world.
• Neil, however, views nature as a hostile force, while Duror seeks to exert control over it through actions like setting snares.
• Duror's desire to rid the wood of the cone-gatherers reflects his desire for control over nature, similar to his approval of Hitler's Final Solution.
• Pathetic fallacy is used to emphasise how the weather reflects characters' emotions and behaviours.

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Prose

Class

• The novel delves into class distinctions and societal hierarchies, which have a significant impact on the characters' interactions.
• Lady Runcie-Campbell upholds upper-class values and expects those around her to conform to social norms.
• Neil challenges the existing class structure, advocating for equality and resisting inequality.
• The climax of the story involves class tensions, with Neil's refusal to help Roderick as an act of protest against inequality.
• Lady Runcie-Campbell's role in maintaining class divisions is a central element of her character.

Solitude

• The theme of isolation is prominently depicted in the novel, with Duror being a central character who isolates himself due to his intense animosity toward the cone-gatherers.
• Duror's inability to communicate his feelings to others and his reluctance to confide in anyone contribute to his isolation.
• Other characters, including those who know Duror well, often ignore his odd behaviour and do not recognize the extent of his hatred.
• Neil is also isolated in his struggle to communicate properly with his childlike brother, Calum.
• Lady Runcie-Campbell, separated from her husband because of the war, faces isolation as she deals with her own predicaments and challenges.