Lady Runcie-Campbell was raised by her father to view all people as equal, but her husband Sir Colin believes the upper class should see themselves as superior. This causes conflict in her personality, as she tries to please her husband by looking down on the working class cone gatherers. Her behavior toward them is often angry and disrespectful, showing the negative influence of her husband's views. However, near the end of the novel she begins to feel guilt and realize the wrongness of her actions, suggesting her original beliefs taught by her father may be resurfacing.

1. Cone Gatherers character
study: Lady Runcie -
Campbell
By Imogen Latimer

2. Background
“If she had not altogether inherited her religion from her father, certainly it had been much influenced
by him.”(Page 136)
Whilst Lady Runcie-Campbell grew up she was taught to regard everyone else as equal to herself and
her family. Not only was LRC nurtured into having this certain opinion but she was influenced to turn to
Christianity by her father.These two factors have become a huge part of LRC’s personality whilst she
has become an independant woman.
“Colin informed her, there could be none of this fatal throwing away of the privileges and
responsibilities of rank.”(Page137)
The beliefs that have been introduced to her by her father are contradicted by her husband, Sir Colin.
Sir Colin has contrasting views to LRC’s father, which is why he depends on his wife to ensure that
their two children, Roderick and Sheila are lead to believe they are superior to the working class. Sir
Colin relies so much on his wife to dedicate herself to the task as he has provided for the family and
believes LRC should also do her part. This creates pressure on LRC as this is not the way she was
brought up or the type of person she originally was. She has however, grown accustomed to thinking
highly of herself.

3. Personality
“What is the meaning of this? Though astonishment, and perhaps dampness, made her voice hoarse,
it nevertheless was far more appalling to the two men than any thunder. They could not meet the
anger in her face.”(Page 156)
Lady Runcie-Campbell’s background has a large impact on her personality, her views are what are
most important to her and she thinks very highly of herself. The over reaction of LRC when she
catches Calum and Neil in her beach hut reveals an unattractive, compelling side to the character. The
amount of power bestowed upon her causes her to believe she can be unpleasant to others without it
becoming an issue.
“Fear, anxiety, love, sorrow, regret and hope, were in her mind, but not anger.”(Page 218)
Towards the end of the novel we begin to see the more human side to Lady Runcie-Campbell,
possibly the side that her father had spent years bringing to life. The above quote suggests that LRC
began to feel a large sense of guilt, to realise she was in the wrong and tried to frantically offer her
help but it was too late. This highlights the drastic measures that had to occur for LRC to have this
sudden epiphany and realise what was morally correct.

4. Appearance
“In spite of her clothes, expensive though simple, of her valuable adornments
such as earrings, brooches, and rings, and of her sometimes almost mystical
sense of responsibility as a representative of the ruling class..”(page 50)
Contrasting with Calum’s character Lady Runcie-Campbell appears attractive
and approachable. Due to the fortunate lifestyle of luxury, she is able to take
care of her appearance by affording to pamper herself with expensive clothing.
Having a well presented appearance is part of her image as a high class
superior woman. If she were not to meet the standards that others expected of
her, she would not receive the respect she is given.

5. LRC’s Relationship with TCG
As Lady Runcie-Campbell is of the highest class whereas The Cone Gatherers are of the working
class there is a clear divide. LRC looks down on TCG and assumes them to be inferior to her and her
family. This impacts their relationship as TGC are restricted from getting to know LRC, whereas LRC
assumes she knows everything about TGC and begins to form a slight hatred for them.
Referring to The Cone Gatherers, Lady Runcie-Campbell states- “Your father is right. After this war
the lower orders are going to be frightfully presumptuous.” (Page158)
This proves LRC to has no respect for TGC and that she is horrified they could ever consider being
equal to her and her significant others.
Neil - “Haven’t we got a right to keep ourselves alive? Is the lady like the rain, and the thunder and
lightning, that we should be forced to flee from her as well?” (Page153)
Neil begins to question why LRC is considered any better than himself and his brother, why they
should be threatened by her and consider her a danger. This highlights that Neil knows it is wrong that
she should think herself superior to TGC and that he could possibly one day have considered standing
up to her.

6. Motivations
Although it may not be clear, Lady Runcie-Campbell is influenced by the
thought of pleasing other people, particularly her husband. The possibilities of
this are that she will earn more respect in his eyes and therefore become an
even more respectable person overall.
“It was her duty to see that Roderick acquired it; and she had made, and still
was making, efforts to fulfil that duty.”(Page 137)
This quote emphasises the effort made by LRC to meet her husband’s wishes
to please him and give him a sense of pride in her. Even though Roderick
resisted her efforts, LRC stuck to her word and continued to complete what was
expected of her.

7. Behaviour
Lady Runcie-Campbell’s behaviour can be somewhat appalling and unappealing. LRC only seems to
be content when things are going her way in the order she would like.
“‘Get out’ cried the Lady. ‘For god’s sake, get out.”(Page156)
Alike a child having a tantrum LRC loses her temper with The Cone Gatherers. This was because
during a storm the brothers had attempted to take shelter, surely a basic human right. The thought of
TGC rebelling against what LRC considers correct lead to anger beginning to boil inside her. This
emphasises how her husband’s patronising views have impacted LRC’s behaviour towards the lower
class.
“‘What!’ she cried. If this is a joke, Roderick, I don’t much admire it’s taste”(Page 111)
Roderick declared to his mother that he wished to appologise to The Cone Gatherers for the unfair
way they were treated by his mother. LRC was astonished and did not hesitate to make it clear that
her son was in the wrong. This also highlights LRC’s new found hostility towards the idea of respecting
the working class.

8. Symbolic significance of LRC
Lady Runcie-Campbell symbolises the upper class and what they consider
struggles. Struggles such as maintaining their reputation as admirable
superiors, ensuring they are extremely class conscious. LRC may also
symbolise a certain aspect of Christianity.
“he believed in God, he said, and therefore in heaven; but it was heaven where
there must be a rank as on earth.”(Page 136)
This quote is an example of Sir Colin’s views which LRC soon pursued.
Therefore overall, Lady Runcie-Campbell is an example of how at the time of
the war, class conflict could overpower original Christian beliefs.