Learning Intention; I can take detailed notes to aid my study of a text

The Title (Prior Knowledge) ● PLOUGHING  Why does a farmer plough? What is he preparing the land for?  What does this suggest about Chris and her maturity? -Chris is not yet mature/her character is not yet fully formed - We are told of her background so that we can be aware of the influences that might shape her

“...but she was no more than ploughed land still, the furrows went criss and cross, you wanted this and you wanted that, books and the finesses of them no more than an empy gabble sometimes, and then the sharn and the snapping that sickened you and drove you back to books”

Structure Chris lying at the Standing Stones Early life and move to Kinraddie Experiences at Kinraddie up to present time Chris being called back down to Blawearie FLASHBACK Influences on Chris Focus more on Chris

Important Points; Weather Weather “brought more heat than cold” – sign of thundery (ominous) weather Weather breaks at the end of the chapter and mirrors the news Chris is about to hear

Important Points; John Guthrie Chris’ view of her father often seems contradictory She admires his skills in farming and attitude to land but hates his harsh and cruel nature and quick temper John Guthrie is proud of what he is and what he does and will stand up for himself and his land when necessary.

Important Points; John & Jean Guthrie Marriage of John and Jean beings in a romantic way but Jean Guthrie becomes increasingly bitter and tired This is down to John’s insistence to follow “God’s will” when it comes to having children. Conflict between parents is something that fascinates Chris but at the beginning of the chapter she only dimly recognises the sexual side of her father’s nature

Important Points; Sex and Relationships Gibson was concerned with creating a realist portrayal of Scottish people and so took a realistic view of people’s relationships and sex lives. He shows the consequences of having sex for women (the birth of the twins) He sees male desire as being destructive and threatening to women and female desire is sympathetically portrayed and seen as “natural”

Important Points; Religion In this chapter Kinraddie needs a new minister and so invites three ministers to preach. Two ministers make an impression but it is the Reverend Gibson (note the name) who the community choose and this is Gibson’s first comment on organised religion. It is significant that Chris and her father both vote for Reverend Colquhoun

Important Points; Ending The chapter ends back in the present day Chris is called back home to hear some news – she (and we) don’t know what yet The drought breaks in a dramatic storm – a sign for the trouble ahead

“They were crying her name excitedly, it sounded like the lowing of calves that had lost their mother, she went slow to tease them till she saw their faces” Hints at the awful news Chris will hear when she reaches Blawearie

Reading the Text SectionSummaryFocus on..... “Below and...” “much same as before” Chris at the Standing Stones. Drought at Blawearie Standing Stones as a symbol Importance of Land Dangers of technology and change Mistrust of the gentry