HIGHER WORKBOOK THURSO HIGH SCHOOL

HIGHER WORKBOOK THURSO HIGH SCHOOL

The northeast of Scotland, what we have now come to call Grampian Region, is today a great
agricultural area, a land of trim and productive farms and fine cattle, but it was not always so.
If you were to go back two hundred and fifty years you would find a very different scene.
The land then was much more moor and bog than field, with only a few scattered folk
scratching a poor living from this bleak wilderness. Since then the transformation of the
north-east has been one of the great triumphs of modern agriculture.






















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Sunset Song Prelude the Unfurrowed Field
This part of the novel can be a bit intimidating: the language is different and the narrative
style is quite unusual, but dont let it put you off. Read the following quotations. They have
been grouped and there is space for you to write brief comments on the quotations. Notice
that they are often very entertaining!
P2 He sent the news to William the Lyon, sitting drinking the wine and fondling his bonny
lemans in Edinburgh Town.
P4 The leases were one-year, two-year, you worked from the blink of the day you were
breeked to the flicker of the night they shrouded you, and the dirt of the gentry sat and ate up
your rents but you were as good as they were.
P9 But ministers wives were aye folk to complain and dont know when theyre well off,
them and the silver they get for their bit creatures of men preaching once or twice a Sunday
and so proud they hardly know you when they meet you on the road.
Attitude towards the gentry _____________________________________________
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P5 He married a Morton quean with black blood in her, she smitted him and drove him to
drink and death, that was the best way out. For his son was clean daft and they locked him up
at last in an asylum.
P8 Only coarse creatures like Catholics wanted a kirk to look like a grocers calendar. So it
was decent and bare-like
P14 Andy (the daftie) was a meikle slummock of a creature, and his mouth was aye open,
and he dribbled like a teething foal, and his nose wabbled all over his face and when he tried
to speak it was just a fair jumble of foolishness.
Attitude towards those who are outsiders or different. _______________________
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P8 It had fine glass windows, awful old, the wee hall, with three bit creatures of queans, not
very decent-like in a kirk, as window-pictures. One of the Queans was Faith, and faith she
HIGHER WORKBOOK THURSO HIGH SCHOOL


looked a daft-like keek for she was lifting up her hands and her eyes like a heifer choked on a
turnip and the bit blanket round her shoulders was falling off her but she didnt seem to heed,
and there was a swither of scrolls and fiddley-faddles all about her.

What does this commentary on a stained glass window tell you about the folk of
Kinraddie?__________________________________________________________________
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_________________________________________________________

P9 if it didnt scunner you that you couldnt so much as change your sark without some ill-
fashioned brute gowking in at you.

P 10 folk that didnt like Chae said all the fighting hed ever done had been with his mouth
and that as for beaten, hed be sore made to beat the skin off a bowl of sour milk.

P10 he was well-liked, though folk laughed at him. But God knows, who is it they dont
laugh at?

P17 everybody knows what they are, the Gourdon fishers, theyd ring silver out of a
corpses wame and call stinking haddock perfume fishes and sell them at a shilling a pair.

P19 He thought himself a gey man with horses, did Rob, and God! hed tell you stories
about horses till youd be grey in the head, but he never wearied of them himself, the long,
rangy childe.
P21 Though shed only a doves flitting of a family herself youd think to hear Mistress
Gordon speak that shed been clecking bairns a litter a month since the day she married.
P22 Ewanwas an impudent brute, calm as you please, but an awful good worker, folk said
he could smell the weather and had fair the land in his bones.
P23 Alec himself had such lugs that they said he flapped them against the flies in the
summer-time.
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Attitude towards those in the community____________________________________
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Once you have made some comments on the above quotations, consider the narrative style.
Who do you imagine the narrator is and what is unusual about the style? Comment, too, on
the punctuation.
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Lewis Grassic Gibbon is the pen name of James Leslie Mitchell. He was born in 1901 and
died in 1935.
The names 'Grassic' and 'Gibbon' were taken from his mother's side of the family.
On both sides, Mitchell came from several generations of Aberdeenshire farming people, and
he was proud to claim he came from 'peasant stock'.
The experiences of his childhood and youth are reflected in those of his character Chris in the
novel.
His early life was spent near the village of Auchterless, and then his family moved to a farm
near Arbuthnott, in the area called 'The Mearns' or 'Howe of the Mearns', which lies west of
Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.
In Sunset Song, the fictional village of Kinraddie is based on Arbuthnott, where Mitchell
attended primary school. He later attended secondary school in Stonehaven. He is buried in
the churchyard at Arbuthnott. While living at Arbuthnott, he met and fell in love with
Rebecca (known as Ray) Middleton, who lived on a neighbouring farm, and whose father is
considered to be the model for the character of Long Rob in the novel.
Aspects of Mitchell's life can be seen in the characters of the novel, particularly Chris. Like
her, Mitchell was academically gifted and loved reading, attributes he gives to the 'English
Chris'. He was particularly interest in history, archaeology and anthropology. While he
appreciated the spiritually uplifting effect of being close to nature, which he ascribes to the
'Scottish Chris', he apparently strongly disliked the drudgery of life on the farm and resented
being called away from his studies to help with the work.

HIGHER WORKBOOK THURSO HIGH SCHOOL


In the novel, on the other hand, although Chris refers to the 'weary pleiter' of the land, he
presents her as a willing and capable worker.
After leaving school at 16, Mitchell became a journalist in various cities, including Glasgow,
but as he was thought to be overly biased politically he eventually lost his job.
Although he had been too young to participate in the war, he enlisted in the army in 1919.
Although he survived there for four years, until his discharge in 1923, it is known that he
loathed his time in the army. He found the experience degrading and inhumane, and a version
of this is given to the character of Ewan who is dramatically brutalised by his exposure to the
system. After leaving the army, he then joined the Royal Air Force as a clerk, and remained
there until 1929.
He resigned from the RAF to become a full-time writer, and he was able to make a good
living from his work. He produced many novels and short stories, with Sunset Song being
published in 1932. He lived in London, and married his former sweetheart, Ray Middleton.
They had a son and a daughter. Mitchell died at the relatively young age of 34 from a
ruptured stomach ulcer, possibly brought on by the stress of his army experiences or by
overwork.














HIGHER WORKBOOK THURSO HIGH SCHOOL



SUNSET SONG
THE TITLE AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE


SUNSET

What does a sunset represent?

What can it symbolise?

Does it have power?

When does it appear?

SONG
What is a song?

Why do people feel they need to sing songs?










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PLOUGHING
CHAPTER ONE

What is noticeable about the narrative stance in this chapter?


What is clear about the dialect that is used?


What can you tell about Chriss relationship to the land? Find a quotation that shows
her feelings towards the land and the scenery around her.

What are Chriss mothers feelings towards the land? Find a quotation that shows her
strong feelings towards the land and the scenery around her.

What are your first impressions of Will Guthrie? Find a quotation that describes Will
Guthrie


What do you think the writer means when he describes the Two Chrisses?






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The Flowers of the Forest


LISTEN AND READ OVER THE SONG The Flowers of The Forest
Dick Gaughan-Flowers of the Forest
What do you think it is about?
Why is it significant to the novel?
Lyrics to The Flowers O'the Forest
I've heard them lilting at our ewe-milking,
Lasses a-lilting before dawn o' day
Now they are moaning on ilka green loaning
The flowers o' the forest are a' wede away
At bughts, in the morning, nae blythe lads are scorning
Lasses are lonely, and dowie, and wae;

Nae daffin', nae gabbin', but sighing and sabbing,
Ilk ane lifts her leglin and hies her away
At e'en, in the gloaming, nae swankies are roaming
'Bout stacks wi' the lasses at bogle to play;
But ilk ane sits eerie, lamenting her dearie
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The flowers o' the forest are a' wede away

We'll hear nae mair lilting at the ewe-milking;
Women and bairns are heartless and wae;
Sighing and moaning on ilka green loaning
The flowers o' the forest are a' wede away
I've heard them lilting at our ewe-milking,
Lasses a-lilting before dawn o' day
Now they are moaning on ilka green loaning
The flowers o' the forest are a' wede away

At bughts, in the morning, nae blythe lads are scorning
Lasses are lonely, and dowie, and wae;
Nae daffin', nae gabbin', but sighing and sabbing,
Ilk ane lifts her leglin and hies her away

At e'en, in the gloaming, nae swankies are roaming
'Bout stacks wi' the lasses at bogle to play;
But ilk ane sits eerie, lamenting her dearie
The flowers o' the forest are a' wede away

We'll hear nae mair lilting at the ewe-milking;
Women and bairns are heartless and wae;
Sighing and moaning on ilka green loaning
The flowers o' the forest are a' wede away
HIGHER WORKBOOK THURSO HIGH SCHOOL


The Flooers o the Forest

Jean Elliot (b. 1727), aided in part by popular poetry selections, framed the tune in 1756 as a
lament to the deaths of James IV, many of his nobles, and over 10,000 men - the titular
"Flowers of the Forest" - at the Battle of Flodden Field in northern England in 1513, a
significant event in the history of Scotland.
She published it anonymously and it was at the time thought to be an ancient surviving
ballad. However, Burns suspected it was an imitation, and together with Ramsay and Sir
Walter Scott eventually discovered its author.
The song, written in Scots, is also known as The Floo'ers o' the Forest (are a' wede away) and
describes the grief of women and children at the loss of their young men. In some ways the
song echoes the Old Welsh poem Y Gododdin about a similar defeat in about 600.











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PAIRED WORK
Why does John Guthrie dislike the standing stones?




Do you find Chris and Wills relationship appropriate?

youve your lessons and studies, the English Chris, and living and eating and sleeping
that other Chris that stretches your toes for you in the dark of the night and whispers a
drowsy Im you.
Analyse this quotation
What does it tell us about Chris Guthrie?


What impression do you get of Mistress Munro on p52?


his eyes slipped up and down her dress as she spoke, she felt sickened and queer. He
shamed you then? He whispered; and Chris shook her head and at that father seemed
to go limp and his eyes grew dull.

Comment on the word choice slipped in this quotation


What does it add to the quotation?


Why might his eyes grow dull?

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When Chris helps to wash the blankets, how does her mother react when she
strips?pp59-60


How does father react, and what does she notice about the way that he looks at her?
(quote p60)

no more than ploughed land still, the furrows went criss and cross

Chris describes herself as this, what does she mean by this?
Why has Grassic Gibbon described her in this way?


Pathetic Fallacy




The weather has been hot and close during the end of the ploughing chapter.
Why is it significant that it breaks at the end of the chapter and there is a
thunderstorm?










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Drilling

Chris growing up

What dies along with her mother? Quote p63

What shows that she hasnt completely given up on the English Chris on p64?


Wills development

What do you think makes Will feel able to stand up to his father at last?


What hypocrisy does Will point out in his father on p65?


What change is there in Chris and Wills relationship on p66?

The Influence of the Land and Seasons on characters

Quote to show how the harvest time affects John Guthrie on p67


Which creature is Guthrie compared to on p67?


What does p68 show you about John Guthries ability as a farmer

Chriss awareness of sexuality the tin


Why is the scene with the tink important in showing this theme? What are her
conflicting reactions to his advances?





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The Two Chrisses
Mirror description





On p70-71, Chris looks in the mirror. She does this several times in the novel. Note
the following:
o she doesnt feel that sex is sinful and shameful like, for example, her father
does. She feels sweet and cool and fit for that lover
o she analyses her appearance very calmly: not bonny, perhaps
o She feels in harmony with her body and has no shame about it.

























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Explain the metaphor of the harvest madness scoring her mind as a long drill scores the
crumbling sods of a brown, still May.
Quote from p72 to show John Guthries sexual frustration.
The Harvest Madness

What did Ewan Tavendale do, and who went to see him about it?

What did Mr Gibbon, the minister do?

What did Will do?

John Guthrie

Quote to show how Guthries year at Blawerie has affected him. P75
He realises the day of the crofter is nearly over. How does he feel about the land?
Quote from p75

Do you think he understands why his wife killed herself? Explain.

The ministers drunken train ride
you couldnt lie down for a minute with a quean in Kinraddie but that
some half-witted clod-hopping crofter began to throw stones at you. P84.
Very briefly describe the minister and his attitude to Kinraddie folk.

P85 The threshing.

What aspects of the community does GG try to show in this part?







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Chris and Ewan



P87

Do you think that they are instantly attracted to each other? Explain
your answer and comment on Chriss reaction to him.

Which animal is he compared to? Which other character has also been
compared to this animal?

P88 The fire at Peesies Knap

Which aspects of the community does the fire highlight?
Comment on fire in Drilling. What does it show in Chriss life?

P91 Chriss first kiss
Take detailed notes on Chriss first kiss, including quotations. How
does she react to it and feel about it later? Why do you think the mans
skin is described as soft?

P92 Wills relationship with his father.
Comment on this quotation:
Will stared at father, his face was blind with pity, once he made to speak, but
couldnt always theyd hated one the other so much and theyd feel shamed if
they spoke in friendship now.

P96-97 Attitude towards politicians
What was the old MP like?
What was the conservative candidate like?
What was the liberal candidate like?
HIGHER WORKBOOK THURSO HIGH SCHOOL


Once they elect the liberal candidate, how good does he turn out to be?
RELIGION

P99
Attitude towards religion
Rob obviously has no respect for religion.
What is Chaes attitude towards: hell
God?

Chris and Ewan
Which quotation from p100 shows she is not too embarrassed about
her body?
Chris sees that Ewans eyes are queer and soft and shy and his skin
is white as new milk below the neck of his shirt. What does this tell
us about him?
Quote to prove that she is attracted to him from p100.

John Guthries illness
The novel claims that it was Guthries own rage that struck him down. He
seems to have had a stroke and fallen on a stone.
How do we know that he is badly injured?
Why is he so angry about not being able to get up?


















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Harvest
At the start, it is six years later and it is confusing: she caught his (Ewans) hand and closed
her eyes again, praying in a wild compassion of pity for that Ewan whose hand lay far from
hers. Can you explain this? P181

How is the idea of nothing endures continued on p183?
Write a quotation from p183 that shows Ewans affinity with the land.
P184 How many of Robs 11 siblings died? Why do you think GG has Rob telling
Chris this?
What do the people of Kinraddie say about Chriss pregnancy on p184?
On p185, she feels that her world up Blawearie began to draw in, in and about her
and the life she carried. Why do you think she feels this?
P186 the baby is still waiting harvest
On p186, the war is announced. How do Chris and Ewan react to it?
Look at the top paragraph on p187 and note two quotations that show Ewans affinity
with the land.

Pathetic Fallacy
How does the weather change when Chris goes into labour? P187
Note two images used to describe the pain of labour for Chris on p187
P190 How is the babys body described?

War
Why did so many people leave the church in the middle of the sermon? P193
How does Chris upset Kirsty Strachan on p194
What does Long Rob think should be done about the war?
Use your own words. P194

What is the result of the ministers anti-German propaganda on p195?
What does Rob do to the minister and how is he stopped from doing worse? P198
What do Cuddiestoun and Mutch decide to do on p198?

Family Life
How is Chriss family life portrayed on p199?

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End of an Era
Look carefully at the top paragraph on p200.
How does GG portray their closeness to the land?
Why do you think she sees them as mirages of men dreamt by a land grown desolate
against its changing sky?

Chae returns on leave
How is his laugh described on p201? Explain why this image is used.
Why do you think Ewan, who had no interest in the war, suddenly considers joining
it?
What has happened in Kinraddie that appals Chae so much?
On p204 what effect has the war had on people?
Why is Mistress Gordons son so angry with her? P204/5
Explain what Rob means about going to war on p206
What is your explanation of what Chae sees on p207?
What has Chris been thinking about during this time?p208
Briefly explain Robs actions after the Conscription Act pp208-209
Ewan goes to war
P210 quote to show the change in Ewan.
Explain briefly why he joins the war.

Wills visit
Has Will forgiven his father? (p216)
How does Chris feel when Ewan criticises Scotland?(p216)
What point does Chris make about the Scots and religion?(217)
What image of song is used to describe Wills visit? Quote from p218

Long Rob returns
Briefly explain what has happened to him.




HIGHER WORKBOOK THURSO HIGH SCHOOL


Epilude the unfurrowed field
The People of Kinraddie change. Many become obsessed with money:
Alec Mutch makes lots of money with cattle but cant afford to buy Bridge End, so
leaves Kinraddie at night..
The Gordons of Upperhill become rich and posh.
Ellison also has enough money to buy the Mains as well as Blawerie
The traditional, crofting generation all die out:
Pooty shuts his donkey inside and tortures it, claiming its a German. He is
eventually taken to a madhouse
Rob dies at war, though is given a medal for bravery.
Chae is killed on the very last day of the war.
Blawerie can no longer grow corn, so Ellison puts sheep on it.
Chris gets engaged to the new minister (son of the old one who had preached a
sermon about ancient times, but had never been given the job.)
Rev Colquohoun seems to be a sensible man: he is left-wing (helps the ploughmans
union); he is happy to marry a widow; he had been at war, but is not pro German.
Chris
What does she say on p253 that shows her feelings for Ewan are still alive?
Do you find it effective that what she says to the minister is told through the SPEAK?
Community Event the memorial service
The folk of Kinraddie expected a fine stone angel, with a night-gown on, raised up at
Kinraddie crossroads.
Instead, the minister does up the standing stones.
You can see all of Kinraddie from the stones
The change in the land is therefore very evident
He mentions the sunset of an age and an epoch. P255. Why is this image effective?
it was not in them to tell in words of the earth that moved and lived and abided,
their life and enduring love. P256
These were the Peasants, the last of the Old Scots folk. P256
How will the next generation know them? P256
What has died with these men? P256
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The crofter is gone, the man with the house and the steading of his own and the land
closer to his heart than the flesh of his body.
Nothing, it has been said, is true but change, nothing abides. P256
they died for a world that is past, these men, but they did not die for this that we
seem to inherit. P256
need we doubtplaces of sunset? What is he saying here? P256
Which tune is played and why is it appropriate? P257
How do the young ploughmen react to the tune?

What makes this key scene an important part of the novel? Discuss.
















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Themes
Change nothing, it has been said, is true but change
This is the main theme of the novel: seen through the growing character of Chris Guthrie and
the changes in Kinraddie from the opening of the novel in 1911 to the Epilude.
Chris Guthrie refer to note on her character to chart the development from girlhood
to adolescence to womanhood. Also the two Chrisses conflict should be noted.
Kinraddie we see the character of Chris develop and change against the backdrop
of Kinraddie; she does not develop in isolation from her community. GG gives a picture of a
traditional farming community that is vivid and real, with characters whose attitudes and
behaviours shape Chris. See notes on Prelude and Epilude.
Mechanisation of farm work destroys traditional values, according to GG. John
Guthrie refuses to adapt to modern ways and dies of exhaustion. Will moves to a modern
world of mechanised farming. Long Rob is the most powerful embodiment of tradition in the
novel with his traditional songs, love of Scots language, refusal to respect the Establishment,
his common sense and kindliness, his love of horses and his land. Chae Strachan is a parallel
character.
The first World War marks the completion of the changes that we witness from
Prelude to Epilude with modern capitalist farming replacing crofting. A new soulless industry
is ushered in replacing caring communities such as Kinraddie the sunset of an age and
epoch. GG believes this is the culmination of a destructive way of life that began with the
coming of civilisation.
Scottish Traditions
GG is chronicling a way of traditional farming life that has died out in Scotland, a way of life
that survived centuries but not the C20th. He has preserved the Scottish traditions and
language and values for the reader.
Throughout the novel the people of Kinraddie are a very close community. They are
always willing to help each other.During the long harvest months all the members of the
community come together to help one another get their work done. This is apparent
throughout the novel, however towards the end (the sunset of an era) this strong community
spirit is gone.
Another of Kinraddies traditional Scottish ways is the happenings at the death of a
member of the community. After John Guthries death, everyone comes to Blawearie with
whisky and spirits for each of them to have a dram. Afterwards, traditionally all the men
proceed to the kirkyard for the burial of the corpse and the funeral. However as Chris is the
HIGHER WORKBOOK THURSO HIGH SCHOOL


only family member of John Guthrie she is allowed along, unlike the rest of the women in the
community. It is also the tradition for the men to take the coffin to the kirkyard so Chae and
Long Rob and Ellison and Gordon carried the coffinheld down the hill. (p.112) Also it
seems to be tradition for the family members to gather to hear the reading of the will.
And now the Blawearie folk sat down in the parlour, with whisky and biscuits for Mr.
Semple, to hear it read. (p.118)
In Kinraddie, at the time, weddings took place at the coupls croft instead of at the
kirk, where you would expect it to be. At her wedding, Chris wears blue instead of the
traditional white as a mark of respect as it is still so soon after her fathers death. She also
shows respect by threading a black ribbon through the neck of her dress.
Then last was her dress, blue also, but darker than her underclothes because so short
was the time since father had died. (p.150)
It is also the tradition for everyone to attend the wedding and bring presents and have a drink
before the wedding ceremony begins. After all the I dos have been and before the
ceremony ends a prayer is said, before everyone proceeds to the house for dinner. After
dinner, traditional Scottish dancing and speeches take place. Once the celebrations have
calmed down, supper is served then they sing Scottish songs and have a final dance. All the
wedding preparations are done by family and friends. It is severely frowned upon for couples
to have sex before marriage so the night of the wedding is traditionally the couples first night
together.










Structure
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The main part of the novel The Song - is divided into four parts, each of which has a title
linked to part of the annual farming cycle, Ploughing, Drilling, Seedtime & Harvest. These
titles have metaphoric meanings, which relate to the development of Chris and the theme of
change as the changes in Chris are universal.
Each of the 4 chapters of The Song begins and ends at the ancient Standing Stones at an
important time in Chriss life where she is reflecting on yet another period of turmoil in
flashback. Each chapter begins and ends in the present with the majority of the chapter in
flashback. The purpose of this is to present the action from the perspective of Chris; she is
reflecting on her experiences as though talking to herself, and the reader.. The Stones signify
the permanence of the land and the coming of civilisation so Chriss life is being judged from
that momentous time in history (theme). We can surmise this makes Chris feel stronger and
secure.
The Song is enclosed by the Prelude and Epilude, both called The Unfurrowed Field.
Both are narrated by the Speak, the gossipy folk voice. The Prelude sets the scene,
introducing us to the community of Kinraddie ie. the characters, but also creates a history to
Kinraddie before the Guthries arrive in 1911. The Epilude brings the novel to an end: we see
the changes (theme) in the place and people of Kinraddie by contrasting it with the Prelude,
and Chris is ready to move on in her life.
Style
Narrative stance switches between the Speak, Chris, Jean, John and others but always returns
to Chris. GG moves the narrative stance effortlessly between characters and so the reader
must be alert to the change:
Up at Robs table an argument rose, Chris hoped it wasnt religion, she saw --- And
Chae cried out that was right enough ---- (Seedtime)
It must be remembered that Sunset Song is a novel that emulates the spoken word, it is
intended to sound spoken throughout, and GG seamlessly slips from narration to dialogue by
dropping conventional direct speech punctuation for use of italics to gain that smooth
transition. There is no clumsy he said to interrupt the flow:
his whisper hurt worse than a shout I wonder why Jean left us.
GG uses a watered down form of the Scots dialect of the North-East of Scotland called Doric
to give his characters authenticity and a sense of place. He could not use real Doric for his
readership would be small so he uses some dialectal words eg. orra quean, park gey as
well as general Scottish words such as oxter, press, kist, gloaming. In addition he
captures the rhythm of speech of the area by patterning/ ordering the words eg. the fight
unwearying hed fought with the land and its masters to have them all clad and fed and
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respectable, hed never rested working and chaving for them, only God had beaten him in the
end. ---called her his lassin days before the worldsfight and the fight of his own flesh had
grown over bitter and poisoned his love to hate.
We see the use of repetition of structure and use of climax to create a rhythm.
Tone is also used to effect especially in the voice of the Speak:
So some said that he (Mutch) must glower at his mistress a fell lot, and that was hard
enough to believe, she was no great beauty, with a cock eye and a lazy look ---(Prelude)
The tone is often sly and knowing if not downright insulting, but creates humour.
It is the creation of this distinctive spoken style which makes the characters sound like real
people that persuades the reader of their authenticity.