Analyzing Turning Points in 'The Cone Gatherers' Critical Essay

The Cone Gatherers

Critical Essay Planning Choose a novel or short story in which there is an incident which is a turning point in the text. With reference to appropriate techniques, explain briefly what happens in the incident and discuss how it acts as a turning point in the text as a whole.

Critical Essay Success Criteria Clear thesis/overall argument that is relevant to the question Coherent structure Secure knowledge and understanding of the text Extensive reference to/evidence from the text Insightful analysis of literary techniques in relation to overall argument, central concerns, themes, etc.

Plan Thesis/overall argument: Deer drive acts as turning point for Duror s decline, leading to the tragic ending of the novel. Duror s first appearance (and possibly other key events leading up to this separate paragraph) Deer drive x 2/3 - Duror s loss of control* - the beginning of Duror s decline - clear indications of Duror s evil Short term effects of Duror s actions at the deer drive we see in the following chapter during his visit to the doctor that Duror is a man on the edge, yet he refuses to take Dr Matheson s advice, instead seemingly accepting his fate . Long term effects of Duror s actions at the deer drive increasingly unhinged, as we see through his disturbing lies about Calum, and the way other characters view him, leading to the violent ending of novel.

Writing an essay Writing an essay Introductions TART Title, Author, Refer to Task Brief summary of text Establish your thesis/overall argument Outline what points you will explore Surely there is nothing more fascinating in literature than a turning point something that undermines the expectations of its readers, or perhaps confirms their suspicions about the complex characters they have encountered thus far. Robin Jenkins The Cone Gatherers encapsulates this literary trope perfectly, as we witness the conflict between Duror, a morally corrupt and increasingly unhinged game keeper, enact his vendetta against two cone gatherers on a Scottish estate during the second world war. In the novel, the deer drive acts as turning point, in that it is a scene where we begin to see Duror s simmering hatred for the cone gatherers, particularly the physically-impaired Calum, bubble over into something far more sinister and violent. From here, Duror almost accepts his inevitable decline, refusing to seek help, leading us directly to the novel s shocking conclusion, where Duror brutally kills Calum and then himself. Jenkins use of characterisation, imagery and climax, effectively portray Duror s deterioration, and emphasise his evil and malice.

Example Paragraph The incident of the deer drive acts as a turning point in the novel because this is where Duror clearly begins to lose control of himself, and his pathological nature is revealed to the other characters. Up until this point the reader is inclined to feel some sympathy for Duror because of the facts revealed about his stunted personal life, but the deer drive challenges our opinion as we begin to see him as someone truly evil. In Jenkins words, deer drives can be revealers of personality and this is no more true than in the case of Duror. He begins to lose the control of the negative emotions which he had managed to hide beforehand and seemed to find it difficult to express himself clearly . Jenkins reminds us of the ensuing battle between good and evil when he portrays the contrasting reactions of Calum and Duror to the deer. While Calum s cry was of delight and friendship , Duror was seen to be laughing in some kind of berserk joy. This helps us to understand how overpowering evil can actually be and this idea is further explored when Duror savagely cuts the deer s throat. The level of seemingly uncontrolled violence used at this point foreshadows the ending of the novel when Duror s madness, which has been revealed in this turning point, is turned on Calum.

Conclusion