The Cone-Gatherers Quotations

Question 1

The scene in which we first see Duror watching Calum.

Answer 1

‘in an icy sweat of hatred’, with his gun pointed at ‘the feebleminded hunchback’ (Chapter 1)

Question 2

What did Duror’s mother-in-law once tell him?

Answer 2

‘that not Peggy’s sins were being punished, but his.’ (Chapter 2)

Question 3

What does Duror ask in a state of confusion? What key scene is this in?

Answer 3

‘What’s happened to Peggy?’, at the deer drive. (Chapter 6)

Question 4

What does Roderick exclaim at his mother, the first time he questions her judgement?

Answer 4

‘But that’s not fair, mother.’ (Chapter 6)

Question 5

How does Duror want to get rid of Calum?

Answer 5

With ‘a destruction, an agony, a crucifixion.’ (Chapter 6)

Question 6

What does Roderick have to remind his mother about humans and dogs?

Answer 6

‘Human beings are more important than dogs.’ (Chapter 8)

Question 7

How does Lady Runcie-Campbell’s opinion on the cone-gatherers compare to that of Duror?

Answer 7

‘Lady Runcie-Campbell’s displeasure with the cone-gatherers was as rose thorns to the tiger’s claws of his aversion.’ (Chapter 8)

Question 8

What does Roderick bring the cone-gatherers? What is it to save them from?

Answer 8

‘his cake of friendship’, ‘the spite of Duror’ (Chapter 10)

Question 9

What did Lady Runcie-Campbell tell her son about the cone-gatherers when arguing with him about class?

Answer 9

‘Obviously, in any way you like to look at them, they are our inferiors’ (Chapter 13)

Question 10

What does Lady Runcie-Campbell see of Duror when clasping her daughter’s doll?

Answer 10

‘He was from some gruesome other world where a child’s toy became an obscene symbol,’ (Chapter 14)

Question 11

Why did Roderick climb the tree?

Answer 11

‘he was meaning to collect the cones, like those men from Ardmore.’ (Chapter 15)

Question 12

Duror wasn’t walking to where the cone-gatherers were - what was he doing?

Answer 12

‘stalking’ (Chapter 16)

Question 13

What question does Lady Runcie-Campbell ask herself?

Answer 13

‘As a mother, as a landowner, as a Christian even, surely she was justified?’ (Chapter 16)

Question 14

What did Duror walk with after shooting Calum?

Answer 14

‘with so infinite a desolation in his every step’ (Chapter 16)

Question 15

What proves Calum’s innocence, even in death?

Answer 15

‘Though he smiled, he was dead.’ (Chapter 16)

Question 16

What did Duror think when he awoke from his dream at the start of the deer drive?

Answer 16

‘Was Peggy dead? Suddenly it was as if the burden of misery was lifted from him. He began to laugh.’ (Chapter 6)

Question 17

What did Duror appear to be in front of his inferiors?

Answer 17

‘These vague yet eager mumbles contrasted with his usual cool instructions’ (Chapter 6)

Question 18

How did Duror cut the deer’s throat?

Answer 18

‘cut its throat savagely’ (Chapter 6)

Question 19

Why did Duror attack Calum at the deer drive?

Answer 19

‘Duror seemed possessed by a fury to rise up and attack the hunchback.’ (Chapter 6)

Question 20

What does Lady Runcie-Campbell have to live by?

Answer 20

‘She’s a good woman really; but she’s got a code to live by’ (Chapter 12)

Question 21

What were the woods like to Roderick?

Answer 21

‘A knot in the tree glowered like a green face.’ (Chapter 10)