In 3 sentences: The document provides a summary of chapters 1 and 2 of the novel "The Cone-Gatherers" by Robin Jenkins. It introduces the two main characters, brothers Calum and Neil, who have been sent to gather cones from trees being cut down. However, the estate manager Duror takes an intense disliking to Calum due to his deformity. Duror's hatred grows throughout the early chapters as he spies on the brothers, revealing his shocking views, and begins hatching an evil plan against them involving a deer drive.

1. ‘THE CONE-GATHERERS’
CHAPTERS 1&2
ROBIN JENKINS

2. INTRODUCTION
 ‘The Cone-Gatherers’ by Robin Jenkins is set
in Scotland during World War II. It is set on
the estate of the Runcie-Campbells, a
wealthy Scottish family.
 The action takes place over a few days in
Autumn in the forest on the estate. The trees
are to be cut down to provide wood for the
war effort.
 The cones from the trees are to be collected
before the forest is destroyed so that the
trees can be replaced.
 Brothers Calum and Neil have been sent to
do this hard, demanding work.

3. THEMES
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The main themes in the book are:
Good versus Evil
Class conflict
War
• Jenkins cleverly uses imagery to convey depth of
meaning below the surface:
• Trees
• Weather
• Seasons
• People

4. CHAPTER ONE
• In the opening chapter we are introduced to
Calum and Neil who are high in the trees gathering
cones. It is set during WWII and the forest is to be
cut down for wood and needs to be replaced. Thus
the reason for gathering cones.
• We also find out that Calum is very compassionate
to animals and is very sensitive to their pain. He has
released rabbits from their traps which angers Duror,
the main character in the novel.
• The reader begins to learn of Duror’s shocking
opinions. He hates the brothers, particularly Calum
because of his deformity and wants him out of his
wood.

5. GOOD - CALUM
• Calum has a childlike innocence and an affinity
with nature
• Calum cannot understand why animals kill each
other
• He successfully blocks out the war
• The extent of Calum’s love of animals is realised
when he sees a rabbit in distress
• Calum is skilled in carving – nature

6. EVIL - DUROR
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Calum’s compassion for the rabbits angers Duror
He vows to get rid of the brothers
Duror spies on the brothers – his hatred revealed
Duror thinks that his obsession with the brothers is a ‘noose of
disgust’
Shocking revelation from Duror’s childhood. His revulsion of
anything imperfect stems from childhood.
There is an indication that Duror may act on his feelings of
hatred
He is obsessed with the brothers and cannot help spying on
them
Shockingly, Duror supports the Nazi regime
He fantasises about murder
We become aware that the hatred in Duror will not leave him
without tragic consequences

7. CLASS
• The brothers live in squalid conditions
• Neil is aware of the vast differences between them
and the Runcie-Campbells
• He questions their living accommodation when
there are more suitable, humane solutions

8. SETTING
• Significance of the war – good versus evil, Duror,
Calum
• The silver firs – class
• The cone-gatherer’s hut – class

9. CHAPTER TWO
In chapter two we meet Dr. Matheson as Duror is
walking home form the woods. He offers Duror a lift
home, which for Duror is an inconvenience as he
will have to make small talk with the doctor.
The doctor seems to be more interested in the lack of
food due to the war and is not at all happy about it
as he is used to fine food such as venison and
whisky.
Duror returns home to a desperately unhappy home
life. His wife, Peggy, is morbidly overweight and is
bedridden. We also meet the dour, hostile motherin-law Mrs Lochie. She blames Duror for her
daughter’s misfortune and wants him to spend
more time with her.
We are of course, aware that Duror is repelled by
anything that is deformed.

10. CHAPTER TWO
DUROR
• Duror meets Dr. Matheson. We can tell he is not
happy about having to talk to the doctor
• Duror’s wife Peggy is morbidly obese. Why is this so
significant?
• When asked about Peggy he is compared to a
tree. What does this tell us about his relationship?
• The doctor is suspicious that despite Duror’s stalwart
and stoic appearance, something dark lurks in his
mind
• The doctor admires Duror’s stoic nature
• Duror is desperately unhappy at home yet he hides
his suffering
• Duror thinks of the cone-gatherers and how he is
becoming obsessed
• Has Duror known that his sanity would, at one time,
escape him?

11. DUROR’S UNHAPPY HOME LIFE
• Duror wishes that he could be in the
‘miserable hut’ rather than be at home
Mrs Lochie
• She, like Duror will never show her suffering
• Mrs Lochie is aware of, and not afraid to
comment on, Duror’s dissatisfaction with his
married life
Peggy
• Duror likens Peggy with Calum
• Peggy and Duror were, at one time, happy

12. DUROR’S MADNESS
• Duror has a strong bond with his dogs
• His dogs then sense the inner turmoil in their
master’s mind as he fantasises about
thrashing them – he manages to regain
control
• We first hear of the deer drive and the
hatching of the evil plan to create immense
suffering for the brothers