General revision Flashcards
What is the theme?
Good vs evil
What is the message?
that good will win in the end, but there will be sacrifices
How is the setting in TIME relevant to the theme?
WW2 - good vs evil - fascism was defeated and genocide averted, but millions of innocent people died (so good won in the end, but with sacrifices)
How is the PLACE setting relevant?
The wood symbolises the garden of Eden, Biblical location of the original battle between good and evil. It is made to sound perfect and peaceful, but with an evil presence lurking and wishing to do harm.
What does Roderick symbolise?
Goodness - fairness and justice.
What does Calum symbolise?
Pure goodness - innocence
What does Duror symbolise?
Evil (mostly towards the end, when he gives in to the madness)
What is the function of Lady Runcie Campbell and Neil in the text?
To show the struggle between good and evil is in every normal person. We all try to be good but don’t always do the right thing or treat people as well as we should. Some people have to make a conscious effort to make themselves do the right thing.
What is the turning point?
The deer drive (Duror’s madness is made apparent to others for the first time, and he decides it is not enough to drive Calum out of the wood. instead he must make him suffer. This leads to the ending.)
What is the climax?
Duror shoots Calum
How is the ending significant to the theme/message?
Good defeats evil, but with sacrifices. Roderick (goodness) is safe, Lady Runcie Campbell has become a better person, and Duror is dead so the wood is rid of evil. Calum is dead (sacrifice - Christ like figure)
How is Calum made to seem like a Christ-like figure?
An outcast, pure goodness, true believer in Heaven, suffers throughout his life, sacrificed at the end in order to rid the wood of evil.
How can we feel sorry for Duror at times?
No close relationships (no son, disgusted by wife), his obsession makes him miserable and he can’t control it, the one place he felt calm and safe (the wood) has been ‘ruined’ for him by Calum.
Why do we not feel sorry for Duror at other times?
he does not seek help or admit his problems, he chooses to give in to the madness and stop fighting it, he involves and harms other people.
Explain the symbolism of the tree
it symbolises Duror’s madness. A tree’s roots are also invisible, deep, strong and almost impossible to remove, just like his madness. A tree is also sick and dying on the inside for a long time while still looking healthy on the outside, like Duror has hidden his madness and suffering for years.
