The document analyzes the symbolism of the tree in relation to the character Duror over the course of the novel. It traces how the tree comes to represent Duror's deteriorating mental state and growing hatred and madness. By the end, the rotting tree moving on its own suggests that Duror has lost all control and sanity, mirroring the dead and rotting state of the tree.

1. The Tree
“As Duror was stalking away towards the Point, it was
as if the rotting tree itself had moved.”Explore how the
symbolism of the tree is used in relation to Duror. Track
the development from the start of the novel to the end.
Rachael Toulouse

2. At the start of the novel we are introduced to Duror; He seems to be quite a strange person and
by the end of the novel we see the clear resemblance between the tree and himself.
The first time we realise a connection between Duror and the tree/ woods is when it is said
“Duror had sworn that he would seize the first chance to hound them out of the wood”p7
This quote not only shows a concern for Durors reasons as to getting rid of the Cone gatherers
but it also shows a connection between him and the woods in a selfish/protective way.
“He could have named, item by item, leaf and fruit and branch, the overspreading tree of
revulsion in him; but he could not tell the force which made it grow, any more than he could have
explained the life in himself, or in the dying rabbit, or in any of the trees about him”p11/12
Duror shows his connection between him and the tree, describing how he felt as if he was the
tree; he knew what he was growing into and aware of the feelings growing inside of him but he
couldn't tell why he was losing control of himself.

3. “but now the wood was invaded and defiled; its cleansing and reviving virtues were gone. Into it
had crept this hunchback, himself one of nature’s freaks whose abject acceptance of nature..”p12
Referring back to Duror having a hatred towards the Cone gatherers, we notice that specifically
Calum has been picked from the two. Jenkins shows a view of nature and in a way trying to make
nature seem like something perfect with no imperfections By making the wood look like a perfect,
beautiful place, he exaggerates Calum making him look abnormal despite his kindness and
innocence. This relates to Duror and the tree as Duror despite having a high reputation and
looking normal; he has mental problems. The tree resembles Duror from the inside out whereas
Calum is the opposite.
Duror has always had a grudge against anything deformed and in a way this suggests that
perhaps something about Calum which reminds him of his own problems or inner self.

4. Duror has problems at home which contribute to his growing hatred and mental stability. His wife
Peggy is paralysed from her legs down. This adds to pressure in his marriage as she has become
obese due to her disability. In some way this relates back to Duror having a repulsion towards
anything disabled or deformed giving us the idea that he no longer loves her. Staying in a
marriage with someone he no longer loves gives us the idea that he is lonely and therefore
needing a way out. His job involves being in the wood and he spends much of his time there. The
tree comforts him as if it were a person. Duror caressed the tree as if it were a person; this adds
to the idea of the tree being something which Duror can escape to. The tree becomes a
distraction from his life but also resembles himself.

5. The tree is just like Duror in a way that it shows his inner feelings growing and deteriorating, it
survives on hope, that Duror will be able to keep on track. In chapter 6 The deer drive; after Durors
turn and break down it became clear to everyone of his mental stability, no one offered him
support though causing him to continue in his madness.
“The dead ash clawing at the sky with branches white as bones”p81
This supports the idea of Duror deteriorating; in his break down at the deer drive he stabs the deer
repetitively imagining he is killing Calum. This links to the tree as the dead ash could represent the
death of the deer and the exposure of Durors illness could be shown as the branches white as
bones.

6. “For of course the doctor would hear the beat of a sound heart and the breathing of healthy
lungs: not the snarling of the tiger, nor the roaring of storm through the tree of doom now high
and ripe in him”p115
In chapter 8 Duror believes that a doctor wouldn’t be able to understand his illness, the doctor
would only see a healthy body but not the decaying tree inside. At this point Duror has become
more dangerous and has an unpredictable hatred. Relating to the tree yet again making the tree
seem like a real life person; a replica of Duror showing his feelings inside on the outside.
The tree of doom foreshadows the problems yet to come suggesting that Duror is rapidly losing
control over what he does and how he feels.

7. “Now the thought of Duror standing dead among the branches of the evergreen brought no hope,
but rather began to infect the whole visible world with a sense of loss and desolation and
fear”p146/147
At this point in the novel we see Duror as having thoughts of suicide as he the thought of him
dead would end his misery but it would never change the tree back to being healthy and looking
beautiful. Instead Duror dying would ruin the whole wood and the feelings would stay there.

8. “There were few sights on earth more desolating than a decimated wood especially one familiar
and beloved”p171
In chapter 13- This quote relates to Duror in a way as it gives us the image of Duror being left
lonely, just like when Peggy and him were happy and the forest was huge and green and full of
life but now it being cut down relates back to his relationship now; lonely, unhappy and with no
one there to help him. It is like he has been disconnected from the world and all of his happiness
has been snatched from him. Just like death, like the tree being cut down.

9. “Duror was stalking away towards the point, it was as if the rotting tree itself had moved”
In this final scene of Duror alive, we notice that the tree has rotted; things which rot cannot be
brought back to life, there is no hope for it and therefore nothing can be done to help anymore.
because no one nurtured/ cared or helped Duror; he spiralled into madness and in the end had no
way of regaining his sanity. The rotting tree itself had moved suggesting that Duror had finally
realised what he must do. Near the end we realise that the tree no longer resembles Duror;
instead it resembles the hatred towards Calum and the on going pain suffered by Duror.