THEMES IN THE CONE GATHERERS

In the shadow of a war that rages through Europe, brothers Calum and Neil work to gather pine cones in the grounds of a Scottish estate. When Calum releases two mutilated rabbits from a snare, he comes face to face with Duror, the gamekeeper. In retaliation, in the depths of the wood, Duror lays a trap for the cone-gatherers. Under a bright blue sky, Neil prophesises that forces of evil will encroach upon the harmony of their lives. It is a prophecy that comes true when Duror commits an act so brutal it destroys all sense of humanity in the once thriving wood. Powerful and unforgettable, The Cone-Gatherers is a novel about the good and the bad in human nature – and of our propensity for both.

Major themes

Sacrifice Sacrifice Neil’s sacrifice for his brother the sacrifice of the forest being cut down the ultimate sacrifice of Calum himself

Good and evil Good and evil Neil’s jealousy and hatred for the Lady Runcie- Campbell and her family Duror’s jealousy and hatred for the two brothers working on the estate Lady Runcie-Campbell’s turmoil between trying to appear to be Christian, and upholding her aristocratic background

Religion Religion Lady Runcie-Campbell’s turmoil between trying to appear to be Christian, and upholding her aristocratic background

Class structure Class structure Lady Runcie-Campbell believes she is above the lower subjects Duror himself enjoys the small luxuries he is given because of his higher status due to his job as game keeper Neil hates the class structure: “we’re human beings just like them”.

Nature it was a good tree […] with rests among its topmost branches as comfortable as chairs Nature Calum himself is extremely close to nature – he does not feel close to the human world, but in nature he seems to coexist with it: “it was a good tree […] with rests among its topmost branches as comfortable as chairs.”

Innocence Conflict between good and evil Social conflict Responsibility Themes in “The Cone Gatherers” – useful when tackling a question on themes 1. Innocence – Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do the innocent suffer? 2. Conflict between good and evil – the book explores the roots or causes of evil in human nature. 3. Social conflict – the book explores class structure 4. Responsibility – Who was responsible for Calum’s death?