Harvest - Key moments

Question 1

The fire caused by Brooker Higgs and the Derby twins

Answer 1

Chapter 1
“our land is topped and tailed with flames”
The novel begins with the arrival of three outsiders, two men and a woman, who are immediately blamed for a fire that destroys a barn. This event symbolizes the villagers’ fear and mistrust of outsiders, highlighting the tension between tradition and change. The quick assumption of guilt and subsequent punishment of the strangers reflect the villagers’ resistance to anything that threatens their established way of life.

Question 2

Description of the village and it’s fundamental features

Answer 2

Chapter 1
“common land”
“we are too small, and getting smaller”
“reap and gossip”
“bounded by common ditches and collective hopes”
“openness and jollity”

Question 3

Walter doesn’t speak out against Brooker Higgs and the Derby twins and allows the newcomers to become scapegoats

Answer 3

Chapter 1
“I hold my tongue instead “
“I know at once who we should blame”
“IN any other place but here such wilful arsonists would end up gibbeted”

Question 4

Introduction of Mr Quill; reinforces Xenophobia

Answer 4

Chapter 1
“exciting and unnerving”
“A wealthy beard”
“feel uneasy”
“our observer’s smile was menacing”
“we were being watched”
Quill is Master Jordan’s surveyor to map out the land for enclosure, signaling a shift from communal farming to private ownership and sheep farming. This represents a larger historical movement in England, where enclosure acts led to the displacement of peasant communities. The villagers’ realization that their way of life is under threat ignites a sense of injustice and powerlessness, reflecting the broader social protest against the loss of communal rights and traditions.

Question 5

Conflict with the newcomers

Answer 5

Chapter 2
“the air was swarming with anxieties”
“we’re not hurtful people”
“why should we share with strangers?”
“beating could begin”
The harsh treatment and punishment of the three strangers, particularly the shaving of the woman’s head and branding of her forehead, serve as acts of scapegoating. This reflects the villagers’ collective anxiety and their resort to punitive measures against those they perceive as threats. The brutality of this act is a protest against the arbitrary and oppressive exercise of power.

Question 6

Gleaning

Answer 6

Chapter 4

Question 7

Mistress Belledame’s rebellion and Kent’s discussion of change

Answer 7

Chapter 2 - “blood was marking her cheeks like tears” “an expensive velvet shawl”
End of chapter two “phelgm”

Question 8

Relationship between Kent and Thirsk

Answer 8

chapter 2 “I sympathise with master kent and what he chose to do”

Question 9

Relationship between Walter and Quill

Question 10

Thirsk as an unreliable narrator

Question 11

Lack of religion

Answer 11

“no church” chapter 2, p18-19

Question 12

Introduction of Jordan and his plans (arrival of capitalism)

Question 13

Willowjack is killed

Question 14

Walter’s relationship with Widow Gosse

Question 15

Jordan’s men detaining and abusing the women

Answer 15

Symbolises how authority figures abuse their power. Chapter 9

Question 16

Sourcery and witchcraft

Answer 16

Chapter 10
Though Crace never specifies the time period in which the novel is set, the talk of Belldame as a ‘sorceress’ and Quill’s murder arguable as a result of the accusations of him partaking in ‘dark practises’ and ‘wizardry’ alludes to historical anxieties surrounding witchcraft i.e. salum witch trials.

Question 17

Villagers attack the groom

Answer 17

Chapter 11
Resistance to Change: The attack on the groom can be seen as the villagers’ resistance to the changes brought by outsiders. The arrival of the newcomers threatens the traditional way of life in the village, including its social structures and economic practices. By attacking the groom, the villagers are expressing their refusal to accept these changes and their determination to preserve their way of life.
Protection of Identity and Autonomy: The villagers’ attack on the groom can also be viewed as a defense of their cultural identity and autonomy. In the face of external influences that seek to impose new norms and values upon them, the villagers assert their right to define and maintain their own way of life. This can be seen as a form of social protest against the homogenizing forces of globalization and modernization.
Power Dynamics: The attack on the groom also reflects underlying power dynamics within the village community. The villagers, who may feel marginalized or disempowered in the face of external forces, use this act of violence as a means of asserting their agency and reclaiming a sense of control over their own lives. In this sense, the attack can be interpreted as a form of political protest against the structures of power that seek to dominate and exploit them.
Symbolic Representation: The groom, as a representative of the outsiders who threaten the village, becomes a symbolic target for the villagers’ frustrations and grievances. By attacking him, they are not only resisting the immediate threat he poses but also symbolically confronting the broader forces of change and oppression that he represents. This symbolic dimension adds depth to the villagers’ protest, elevating it from a mere act of violence to a potent expression of collective resistance and solidarity.
Context of gender roles where it is Lizzie Carr’s mother who initiates the violence - subversive.

Question 18

Villagers flee

Answer 18

Chapter 11
“There’s not a willing soul that remains within our bounds”. Note the significance of the use of the adjective ‘willing’ in reflecting the brutal forces of capitalism and the ways in which it corrupts freedom and independence. The lexical field of isolation is juxtaposed with Thirsk’s use of the collective pronoun ‘our’.
The culmination of the novel involves the villagers being forcibly removed from their homes to make way for the enclosure. This act represents the ultimate betrayal by the landowners and the loss of the villagers’ ancestral rights to the land. It is a stark protest against the commodification of land and the displacement of communities for economic gain.

Question 19

Walter offered steward position

Answer 19

Chapter 12
“I hate myself for saying so”; declarative sentence reflects Thirsk’s anger at himself for succumbing to authority and not running away with the rest of the villagers. However, this serves a dual purpose as it simultaneously reflects the extent of his feeling like an outsider where he chooses to remain in the village rather than leaving with the rest of the villagers.

Question 20

Walters isolation

Answer 20

Chapter 13, Chapter 9
Walter Thirsk, the protagonist, undergoes a transformation from being an insider to an outsider. His growing empathy for the strangers and his eventual ostracism reflect the themes of social alienation and resistance. His narrative voice becomes a protest against the injustices inflicted upon both the outsiders and the villagers themselves. “I am no longer the man I was. My neighbours have turned against me, and I see the world with different eyes.” Walter’s changing perspective highlights his growing empathy and sense of injustice, representing a personal protest against the collective actions of the village.

Question 21

Walters rebellion

Answer 21

Walter Thirsk’s rebellion at the end of “Harvest” is significant as it encapsulates the novel’s exploration of social and political protest. Through his actions, Crace critiques the historical process of enclosure, highlights the value of communal life, and underscores the importance of individual and collective resistance against oppression. Walter’s journey from compliance to defiance serves as a powerful narrative of awakening and moral courage, making a profound statement about the human spirit’s resilience in the face of systemic injustices.
Destruction of the Pillory: “The pillory lay in ruins, a testament to our last stand.” This act of destruction signifies the villagers’ refusal to be passively subjugated and their willingness to fight back against the imposition of external control.
Walter’s Realization: “I am no longer the man I was. My neighbours have turned against me, and I see the world with different eyes.” Walter’s personal transformation is crucial to understanding the depth of his rebellion. His newfound perspective drives his actions and reflects the broader theme of awakening to injustice.

Question 22

Belldame’s rebellion

Answer 22

1. Symbol of Defiance Against Oppression
   Significance: The Belldame’s rebellion represents a direct challenge to the oppressive authority of Edmund Jordan and the changes he imposes on the village. Her actions are a form of protest against the enclosure and the displacement of the villagers.
   Symbolism: Her defiance symbolizes the unbroken spirit of the villagers and their refusal to be completely subdued by external forces. It underscores the theme of resistance against unjust authority and the struggle for autonomy.
2. Assertion of Personal Agency
   Significance: Throughout the novel, the Belldame is a marginalized figure, often overlooked and underestimated. Her rebellion at the end signifies an assertion of her personal agency and her role in the community’s resistance.
   Symbolism: Her actions challenge the passive roles often assigned to older women in traditional societies. By taking a stand, she asserts her identity and power, symbolizing the potential for marginalized individuals to impact their communities and resist subjugation.
3. Defense of Traditional Ways of Life
   Significance: The Belldame’s rebellion is rooted in her deep connection to the land and the traditional ways of life that are being eradicated by the enclosure movement.
   Symbolism: Her defiance represents the defense of these traditional practices and communal values against the forces of modernization and commodification. It highlights the conflict between the old and the new, and the resilience of cultural heritage in the face of destruction.
4. Act of Symbolic Resistance
   Significance: The Belldame’s rebellion is more than just an act of personal defiance; it is a symbolic gesture that carries broader implications for the community.
   Symbolism: Her actions serve as a symbol of hope and inspiration for others in the village. Even though her rebellion may not change the immediate outcome, it embodies the spirit of resistance and the importance of standing up against oppression, regardless of the consequences.
5. Catalyst for Communal Solidarity
   Significance: The Belldame’s actions help to galvanize the remaining villagers, fostering a sense of communal solidarity and shared resistance against the forces threatening their way of life.
   Symbolism: Her rebellion acts as a catalyst for the villagers to come together in their shared struggle. It signifies the power of collective action and the importance of unity in the face of external threats.
   Quotations Reflecting the Belldame’s Rebellion:
   Defiance Against Oppression: “The Belldame stood firm, her gaze defiant, refusing to be cowed by their threats.”
   Assertion of Personal Agency: “In her final stand, she claimed a power they had all but forgotten she possessed.”
   Defense of Traditional Ways of Life: “She was the last guardian of their ancient ways, unwilling to let them be erased without a fight.”
   Act of Symbolic Resistance: “Her rebellion was a beacon, a spark in the darkness of their subjugation.”
   Catalyst for Communal Solidarity: “In her defiance, they found the strength to unite, to resist, to remember what they stood to lose.”

Question 23

Quill’s murder

Answer 23

1. Symbol of Artistic and Communal Spirit
   Significance: Quill, as an artist and mapmaker, represents the creative and communal spirit of the village. His art captures the essence of the land and the lives of its inhabitants, preserving their heritage and identity.
   Symbolism: His murder signifies the destruction of these communal and artistic values by the forces of enclosure and modernization. It reflects the erasure of the village’s history and identity under the new regime.
2. Silencing of Dissent
   Significance: Quill is not just an artist but also a subtle voice of dissent. His work challenges the authority of those who wish to reshape the land for their own profit.
   Symbolism: Killing Quill is a means of silencing opposition and suppressing any form of resistance to the enclosure movement. It symbolizes the lengths to which the powerful will go to maintain control and suppress dissent.
3. Brutality of the New Order
   Significance: The murder exemplifies the brutality and ruthlessness of Edmund Jordan’s regime. It illustrates the harsh measures employed to impose the new social and economic order on the village.
   Symbolism: This act of violence serves as a stark contrast to the previously communal and relatively peaceful existence of the village. It underscores the violent transformation imposed on the community, reflecting the broader historical context of enclosure and the displacement of rural populations.
4. Catalyst for Further Resistance
   Significance: Quill’s murder acts as a catalyst for further resistance among the villagers. It exposes the true nature of the new authority and galvanizes the remaining villagers to recognize their common plight.
   Symbolism: This event symbolizes the awakening of the villagers to the reality of their oppression. It provokes a deeper sense of injustice and can inspire acts of rebellion, even if they are ultimately futile.
5. Loss of Hope and Innocence
   Significance: The brutal killing of a character who embodies creativity and innocence marks a loss of hope for the village. It signifies the end of an era and the bleak future that lies ahead.
   Symbolism: Quill’s death symbolizes the loss of innocence and the harsh intrusion of a new, more violent order. It reflects the death of the old ways and the painful birth of a new, harsher reality.
   Quotations Reflecting Quill’s Significance:
   Artistic and Communal Spirit: “His drawings were our memory, our history.”
   Silencing Dissent: “They could not tolerate his maps; they could not bear his truth.”
   Brutality of the New Order: “Quill’s murder was their warning shot, their message to us all.”
   Catalyst for Resistance: “In his death, we saw the full measure of our loss and the depths of their cruelty.”
   Loss of Hope and Innocence: “With Quill gone, our future seemed as blank as the parchments he once filled.”

Question 24

Walter abandoning the manor house

Answer 24

1. Rejection of Authority and Hierarchy
   Significance: The manor house is a symbol of authority, power, and the feudal hierarchy that governs the village. By abandoning it, Walter is rejecting the social and political structures that have dictated the villagers’ lives.
   Symbolism: His departure symbolizes a break from the oppressive and exploitative system represented by Edmund Jordan and the enclosure movement. It highlights Walter’s disillusionment with the feudal order and his refusal to be complicit in its perpetuation.
2. Embracing Change and Transformation
   Significance: Walter’s abandonment signifies his acceptance of change and the inevitability of transformation. Throughout the novel, Walter undergoes a personal transformation, moving from a passive observer to an active resistor of the injustices around him.
   Symbolism: Leaving the manor house symbolizes his complete transition and his willingness to embrace a new identity separate from the oppressive structures of the past. It marks his final act of rebellion against the forces that have destroyed the village.
3. Solidarity with the Displaced
   Significance: By abandoning the manor house, Walter aligns himself with the displaced villagers and the outsiders who have been mistreated. It is an act of solidarity with those who have been marginalized and oppressed.
   Symbolism: This action symbolizes his newfound empathy and identification with the victims of the enclosure. Walter chooses to join the dispossessed rather than remain in a place of relative safety and privilege, reflecting his moral and ethical stance against the injustices perpetrated by the landowners.
4. Symbol of Destruction and Renewal
   Significance: The manor house, once a symbol of stability and continuity, becomes a symbol of destruction and decay by the novel’s end. Walter’s abandonment of it signifies the end of an era and the beginning of an uncertain future.
   Symbolism: The act of leaving the manor house can be seen as a symbol of renewal. Walter’s departure represents the possibility of a new start, free from the corruption and decay that the manor has come to represent.
5. Personal Liberation
   Significance: For Walter, abandoning the manor house is an act of personal liberation. Throughout the novel, he is torn between his past loyalties and his sense of justice.
   Symbolism: The manor house represents the weight of his past and the constraints of his former life. By leaving it behind, Walter liberates himself from his own history and the expectations tied to his previous role in the village. It symbolizes his personal emancipation and his commitment to a new path.
   Quotations Reflecting the Symbolism:
   Rejection of Authority: “I cannot stay in a place that has become a prison.”
   Embracing Change: “I have nothing left to tether me here.”
   Solidarity with the Displaced: “I must walk away, as they have done, and find a new beginning.”

Question 25

Deterioration of the village from the outset

Answer 25

Chapter 2 pages 18-19
“we live in a rookery”
“these funguses that seek to feed on us”
1. The Arrival of the Strangers
Event: The novel begins with the arrival of three strangers—two men and a woman—who are immediately viewed with suspicion.
Quotation: “They’re strangers to the land. All they’ve brought with them is fire, trouble, and trespass.”
Analysis: The immediate association of the strangers with “fire, trouble, and trespass” sets a tone of disruption and forebodes conflict. This suggests that their presence will lead to significant upheaval in the village.
2. The Fire
Event: A fire breaks out, destroying the village’s dovecote, an important communal resource.
Quotation: “Smoke was thick across our roofs and yards.”
Analysis: The fire not only causes physical destruction but also symbolizes the beginning of the village’s decline. The event acts as a catalyst for the subsequent actions that will further unravel the community’s fabric.
3. The Tension Between Tradition and Change
Event: From the start, there is an undercurrent of tension regarding the future of the village, particularly with the arrival of the surveyor and the looming threat of enclosure.
Quotation: “Our land is set to change.”
Analysis: This acknowledgment of impending change hints at the community’s vulnerability and foreshadows the dramatic transformation that will lead to its downfall.
4. Master Kent’s Vulnerability
Event: Master Kent, the current lord of the manor, is depicted as well-meaning but weak and unable to protect his tenants from the forces that seek to transform the land.
Quotation: “He’s a good man, but he’s not a powerful one.”
Analysis: Master Kent’s inability to effectively oppose the enclosure sets the stage for the village’s eventual destruction. His vulnerability underscores the inevitability of the changes imposed by stronger, more ruthless forces.
5. The Symbolism of the Harvest
Event: The novel is set during the harvest, a time traditionally associated with abundance and community. However, this harvest is marked by anxiety and a sense of foreboding.
Quotation: “Our final harvest, I suspect.”
Analysis: The reference to a “final harvest” directly foreshadows the end of the village’s way of life. The harvest, usually a time of celebration, is overshadowed by the anticipation of loss and change.
6. Walter Thirsk’s Perspective
Event: Walter Thirsk, the protagonist, offers a reflective and often melancholic view of the village, sensing that its days are numbered.
Quotation: “We will not be here for much longer. We are diminishing.”
Analysis: Walter’s introspective and somber observations throughout the novel provide a continuous thread of foreshadowing. His awareness of the village’s fragility and his premonitions of its decline create a sense of inevitable destruction.