Plot: Chapter Two

Chapter Two: Plot

Drumtochty Life

Chapter two, also known as Drumtochty, provides a closer look into the Guthrie family’s everyday life on their small farm, Blawearie.
We learn about Ginny Guthrie’s heart-wrenching hardships: her relentlessness, unending labour, her physical and mental degradation.
It outlines the father, John Guthrie’s, unfeeling nature and harshness towards his family, especially towards his son Will.

John Guthrie

This chapter introduces us to the figure of John Guthrie, a cruel and remorseless man, stuck in his old ways and showing unwavering rigidity.
Gibbon describes his strong views on religion, child-rearing and his concept of manual labour, painting a stark contrast between the modern and old ways of life common to the early 20th century rural Scotland.

Will and Chris Guthrie

It gives an insight into narration from Chris Guthrie’s perspective, illustrating her complex relationship with her father and her adoration for her older brother, Will.
Gibbon hints at the inner conflict Chris experiences between her cultural identity: her rural Scottish roots and her inherent affinity towards education and the English language.
Will’s resilience towards his father’s tyranny is portrayed; it suggests a future defiance against Guthrie Sr and the exploration of his individual identity.

Divinity of Nature

The chapter brings forward the theme of the harmony and divinity found in nature as seen from Chris’s point of view. Her personification and deep connection to the land provide an emotional depth to her character.
Gibbon uses the Scottish dialect for Chris’s deep, intimate thoughts with the land, highlighting her connection to it.

Education

The importance of education, particularly for Chris, is a key theme. Despite the contrasting views of her father, she continues her pursuit of knowledge, preparing us for her eventual transition into her ‘English’ self.
Her fascination with books bought by her mother provides a hint towards the cultural conflict she will later face.

Remember, understanding the intricate details of this chapter provides a major key in understanding the Guthrie family dynamics and the entire cultural and internal conflict Chris Guthrie goes through in the novel. The strong themes set in this chapter will serve as a baseline for the discourse in the coming events.