1. Summer Homework Seed-Time
How does Chris react, at first, to death of her father and why? (pp.108–113) What steps does Chris go through until she comes to a full realisation of what her father meant to her?
What is the full significance of John Guthrie’s will for Chris? (pp.117–118)
Chris’s marriage to Ewan Tavendale is another major step in her life. How important is it to our understanding of Chris (and to Chris’s own understanding of herself) that she has become Chris Tavendale? (p.176)
What evidence can you find in this section of the novel of gradual changes that are taking place in the life-style and attitudes of the people of Kinraddie?
Can you see any links between the way this section of the novel ends and the way it began?

2. John Guthrie’s death and funeral
Look again at the passage concerning John Guthrie’s funeral (pp 115–116).
TASK: analyse the IMAGERY in this extract and comment on how it reveals the thoughts and emotions Chris is experiencing concerning her father’s death.
Imagery
Evidence (quotations)
Explanation
References to rain
‘it was strange and silent but for the soft patter of the rain on the yews …’
‘She found herself praying then … spears of the rain’
‘she was in the drive of the rain …’
Highlights the emotions Chris is feeling – she feels like she has now to take on all the responsibility of both parents

3. John Guthrie’s death and Funeral
Imagery
Evidence (quotations)
Explanation
References to rain
‘it was strange and silent but for the soft patter of the rain on the yews …’
‘She found herself praying then … spears of the rain’
‘she was in the drive of the rain …’
Highlights the emotions Chris is feeling – she feels like she has now to take on all the responsibility of both parents – pathetic fallacy
The flowers  
contrast between the bright of the flowers against the dark of the coffin – life and death – ‘heaped’ – lots of flowers from well wishers?
The colour red
red connotations of anger – Chris says his ‘love turned to hate’ – he was an angry man – in the end he died an angry man
Memories
sudden – Chris has not always remembered the good aspects of her father but now she thinks  back and does remember the good
 Clay
cyclical nature of life – becomes one with the earth  
John Guthrie’s death and Funeral

4. The Wedding
The wedding is central to this section. Gibbon has woven into his description a variety of traditional Scottish elements, making the occasion stand for culture.
Look again at the best man’s speech (p.157) and make notes on how it compares them to the seasons of the land.
Why is this significant?
What is ironic about this speech?
Look at p.168 – 180. Make notes on any clues which show how successful the marriage will be.

5. The Best Man’s Speech “a marriage in Winter had the best of it”
“Spring to come and the seed-time springing of their love”
“bonny days of summer, flowering it”
“autumn with the harvest if their days”
“other winter… another life would burgeon fresh from another earth”
Cyclical nature – the book – farming – life
Ironic: the love of Chris and Ewan only really comes to fruition when Ewan is already dead (end of Harvest p )

6. A Successful Marriage?
Look at p.168 – 180. Make notes on any clues which show how successful the marriage will be.
REMEMBER: these do not have to have positive connotations.