Cone Gatherer's Ending

Question 1

Roderick’s tree: “It is one of the very big trees at the end of the park; a silver fir.” (1)

Answer 1

• Roderick chooses to climb a tree which is symbolic of the huge barrier between classes.
• He wishes to join the cone gatherers and pick cones - he aligns himself with the “green abundant future” of the new wood, not the barren past or anguished present.

Question 2

“If she wants our help, let her come and ask for it… We could have perished in the storm, for all she cared.”

Answer 2

• Here we see the consequences of Lady R-C’s actions. Neil refuses to help her as she has treated them so poorly. This symbolises the break down of the class system (people are no longer willing to follow it just because of rank).

Question 3

Duror was stalking away towards the Point, it was as if the rotting tree itself had moved.”

Answer 3

• The word choice of “stalking” suggests that Duror is hunting. He has planned out his hunt.
• “Rotting” foreshadows Duror’s death and also emphasises his corruption.

Question 4

“Graham, will you come with me?.. No, I was forgetting, Graham. You must be tired. Stay here and rest…”

Answer 4

• This shows a fundamental change in Lady R-C. She considers Graham’s age and health (as she didn’t do before for him or the cone gatherers). Neil’s refusal has had an immediate impact.

Question 5

“He hung therefore in twisted fashion… His arms were loose and dangled in macabre gestures of supplication. Though he smiled, he was dead. From a bag dropped a cone, and then another.”

Answer 5

• Callum’s positioning symbolises the crucifixion of Christ. This emphasises Calum’s goodness and innocence.
• It also has connotations of sacrifice (Christ died for the sins of man). The word choice of “smiled” again emphasises his goodness and positive nature.
• The falling cones symbolise new life, new beginnings and therefore suggest that Calum’s death will lead to similar change.

Question 6

“She knew that somewhere, on her beloved promontory, Duror, with his face shattered and bloody, lay dead.”

Answer 6

• Duror’s death symbolises the destruction of evil in the forest.
• This also shows that Lady R-C knew about his poor mental health (she knew he would have committed suicide).
• It also shows that murder did not help Duror.

Question 7

She could not pray. But she could weep; and as she wept pity, and purified hope, and joy, welled up in her heart.”

Answer 7

• “She could not pray” suggests that Lady R-C recognises her failings as a Christian. “Purified” suggests that with Duror’s destruction the wood has now been cleansed (made pure). “Hope” suggests that Lady R-C now looks to the “abundant future” positively, and is no longer desperate to preserve the old ways.

Question 8

Roderick’s tree: “It is one of the very big trees at the end of the park; a silver fir.” (2)

Answer 8

• However, he also wants the cone gatherers to get back in favour with Lady R-C. He hopes if they help him, she’ll let them stay.
• The silver firs are a symbol of the social class barrier. He is literally climbing it.