Character: John Gutherie

Character: John Guthrie

Character Traits and Personality

John Guthrie is a complex, multifaceted character with elements of both physical strength and emotional instability.
He is depicted as a hardworking farmer, tirelessly committed to his land, reflecting the respect for hard work prized in rural Scottish communities.
His volatile temper and emotional instability often lead to abusive behaviour towards his wife and children, making him a complex and sometimes unsympathetic figure.
Despite this, Guthrie’s love and attachment for his land underscore the themes of connection with nature and identity central to the novel.

Relationship with Chris

Guthrie’s relationship with his daughter Chris, the novel’s protagonist, is decidedly complicated.
He both cherishes Chris for her intellect and despises her for what he sees as her rejection of their traditional farming life.
This relationship embodies the novel’s exploration of the conflict between tradition and progress.
A key moment occurs when Guthrie strikes Chris, demonstrating both his emotional instability and the patriarchal society’s tacit acceptance of violence towards women.

Depiction of Rural Life and Its Hardships

Guthrie’s character is closely tied to the book’s depiction of rural life and its inherent hardships.
His stoic acceptance of the harsh realities of farm life, including disease, death, and grinding poverty, serve to underline the challenges faced by rural communities.
However, his abusive behaviour is not excused by these hardships, giving a nuanced view of rural life.

Impact of Jean’s Death

The death of Guthrie’s wife Jean marks a significant turning point in his character arc.
Jean’s death leads to a noticeable hardening in Guthrie’s personality, with him taking out his grief and frustration on his children.
This event also highlights his inability to properly express or deal with emotion, providing some context to his abusive behaviour.

Depiction of Masculinity

Guthrie’s character serves as a commentary on the strict masculine ideals prevalent in early 20th century Scotland.
His physical strength, stoicism in the face of hardship and dominance over his family are all traits valued in the traditional masculine ideal of the time.
However, his emotional instability and inability to handle his emotions depict the damaging effects of these oppressive masculine ideals.

Legacy and Death

Guthrie’s death midway through the novel leaves a lasting legacy and impact on his family, particularly Chris.
His passing engenders a profound sense of loss, not only of a father figure but also of a way of life tied to the land.
Through Chris’s reflections, we see that despite his volatile nature and harsh treatment, John Guthrie’s connection to the land and his stoicism in the face of adversity leaves a deep mark on her.

In conclusion, John Guthrie, as a character, represents a deep, multi-faceted exploration of rural life, masculinity and the struggle between tradition and progress. Despite his many flaws, Guthrie is a testament to the difficult conditions of rural Scotland in the early 20th Century and the unyielding determination its people showed in the face of such adversities.