Character: Ewan Tavendale

Character Overview: Ewan Tavendale

Introduction

Ewan Tavendale is a character in Sunset Song, a novel by Lewis Grassic Gibbon.
Ewan is introduced as a farm servant at Blawearie, ultimately becoming Chris Guthrie’s husband.
His character sees a devastating transformation; he evolves from a gentle, dependable figure to a harsh and distant individual after his experience in World War I.

Relationship with Chris Guthrie

Ewan’s bond with Chris Guthrie grows from friendship to love, leading to their marriage.
Ewan initially supports Chris in her own ambitions, respects her intelligence, learning and respects her desire to continue her education.
His gentle nature and affection for Chris offers a counter-narrative to the dominant themes of tyrannical masculinity present in figures like John Guthrie.

Transformation

Ewan’s transformation is one of the major tragedies in Sunset Song. His return from war shows him markedly changed, almost unrecognizable.
After the war, Ewan is no longer the loving husband and father we are introduced to, becoming distant, cold and abusive.
His change symbolizes the brutalizing impact that war has on individuals, corrupting the rural simplicity of their lives.

Role in War

Ewan’s harsh experiences during the war represent the destructive consequences of global conflict on small communities.
His character becomes an embodiment of the horrors that Chris and the community fear, echoing the universal trauma faced by soldiers during the war.

Ewan’s Death

Ewan’s tragic death in France, away from the land he loved, signifies the ultimate destruction that war conceals.
His fate mirrors the demise of the old ways and the onset of a new era.

Therefore, Ewan Tavendale’s character progression serves a cruel reminder of the consequences of war and the destruction of rural life in Scotland. His transformation from kindhearted husband to a brutal individual adds a layer of tragedy to Chris’ life and deepens our understanding of the impact of war in Sunset Song. Pay attention to this character’s progress as you read, as it is fundamental to the plot and themes.