The Cone Gatherers Chapter 5

Neil At the start of the chapter, we see the cone- gatherers happily collecting cones. This mood is short-lived as Duror brings them the news that they have to participate in the deer drive.  What do we learn about Neil in this chapter?

Neil Neil is not someone who is naturally happy. He worries constantly about the future. How is this shown?  Fear of Duror: Neil senses that Duror is a threat to Calum and himself. He is aware that Duror wants them gone from the wood, and he tries hard to avoid coming into any confrontations with Duror: “He could not forget Duror’s quiet inconceivable hatred” (P 63); “If they kept out of his way, they would not be troubled by him.” (P64)  Bitterness about social class divisions: Neil hates the way they are treated by the upper classes: “the constant sight of the chimneys, reminding him of their hut, which to him remained a symbol of humiliation.” (P 64)

Neil  Fear of dying: in particular, the fear about what would happen to Calum if Neil died before him. He worries that Calum will be unable to look after himself as he is physically weak. Even though Mr Tulloch assures him that he will look after Callum, he still worries.

Relationship between the brothers  Calum is care-free and happy as long as he is in the trees, whilst Neil is filled with worries and doubts about the future, because he has to take responsibility for looking after Callum.  Neil puts Calum’s happiness before his own, and the only time he gets to enjoy himself is when they are in Lendrick, and he enjoys the company in the pub.

Duror: his threatening presence  Duror’s presence is a threatening and intimidating influence over the brothers. As he approaches them in the wood, he is described as bringing darkness to the wood: “approaching through the sunshine and shadow of the wood.”  We are reminded of the war as Neil assumes that Duror is on “a patrol of the wood.” This helps us to see Duror as a soldier, guarding closely his territory. (P66)  Calum is terrified of Duror: “whimpered and cowered, like a dog in the presence of someone who has been cruel to it.” (P67)  Calum worries that Duror is going to shoot them  He is described as ‘formidable’ (P69)

Duror’s weakness  Duror is terrified of heights and feels sick and dizzy in the tree. This makes him think that there must be something wrong with him, particularly when he thinks about Calum who can climb trees so skilfully.  A simile is used to describe Duror’s sickness: “He was like a tree still straight, still showing green leaves; but underground death was creeping along the roots.” (P71) Like a tree that seems healthy on the outside, but is actually decaying at the roots, Duror also feels that inside he is decaying and dying as a result of the evil that is growing within him.  Duror realises the extent of his misery when he envies an insect scurrying on the ground. “He felt, without self-pity, that this insignificant transitory creature was happier than he and infinitely more at home.” (P73)