Conegatherers
Through analysing the novel “The Cone-Gatherers” by Robin Jenkins, I will examine how the downfall of the character Duror is inevitable from the beginning and how the author successfully establishes this while maintaining the reader’s attention. I will begin by looking at the first chapter and analyse how it provides insight into Duror’s character and touches upon his insanity, before going on to discuss how, in the following chapters, we are given details of Duror’s past and how these help the reader to understand why he acts as he does. I will then examine the key features relating to Duror’s downward spiral which increase in severity and lead up to his tragic outcome. By considering this, I will show how Robin Jenkins’ character intrigues the reader and maintains their interest even though the outcome is predictable. In the first chapter, we are introduced to Duror and certain key features of description which convey to the reader the extent of his sick mind and make it obvious that something terrible will occur. In the opening few paragraphs, Robin Jenkins creates a sense of foreboding: “for hours the two men had worked in silence there” This silent atmosphere makes the reader feel uneasy as if there is going to be a sudden disruption of the peace. “Seals that had been playing tag in and out of the seaweed under the surface had disappeared round the point” An idea is conveyed of the cone-gatherers being alone for miles. This establishes a creepy effect, especially regarding the popular belief that animals can sense danger and that they flee from it. “A destroyer had steamed seawards” “aeroplanes had shot down from the sky” Both these phrases hint at the on-going war which creates a further sense of foreboding. And the final sentence in the paragraph: “gunshots had cracked far off in the wood” makes an impact to suggest that the peace had already been disrupted. I think that the way Robin Jenkins structured this opening idea was very effective in establishing an eerie effect, and giving the reader insight into the final outcome of the novel. In the first chapter we are introduced to the sickness in Duror’s mind. He is the gamekeeper of the woods and sets snares to kill the rabbits. Calum is an animal lover and instinct yields him to release and save the rabbits. The first time Calum had done this, Duror was angry. “Duror, the big keeper, had been waiting for them outside their hut. His rage had been quiet but intimidating.” This shows him to be easily angered and have a lack of sympathy and understanding.