“The Stone Angel” is a novel written by Margaret Laurence that tells the story of Hagar Shipley, a ninety-year-old woman reflecting on her life. The novel is divided into ten chapters that shift back and forth between the present and the past, revealing Hagar’s history through flashbacks. The stone angel monument represents Hagar’s pride, blindness to her own faults, and emotional detachment, and is a significant symbol in the novel.
As an allegory, “The Stone Angel” is a powerful work of literature that explores themes of pride, regret, and the search for identity. Hagar’s character is complex and multi-dimensional, and her struggles with aging and the limitations of her own personality are both relatable and thought-provoking. Through her story, Laurence offers readers a glimpse into the human experience, and the ways in which we all struggle to find meaning and purpose in our lives.
The novel is a poignant and moving exploration of the human condition, and its allegorical nature makes it a rich and rewarding read for those willing to delve deeper into its themes and symbolism. Whether you are a fan of literary fiction or simply looking for a thought-provoking read, “The Stone Angel” is a novel that is sure to stay with you long after you have turned the final page.
Overview of ‘The Stone Angel’
“The Stone Angel” is a novel written by Margaret Laurence. It tells the story of Hagar Shipley, an elderly woman who reflects on her life as she approaches death. The novel is set in the fictional town of Manawaka, Manitoba, Canada.
The novel is known for its use of allegory to convey deeper meanings. The stone angel monument, which stands in the cemetery where Hagar’s family is buried, is a symbol of Hagar’s pride, blindness to her own faults, and emotional detachment. The novel also explores themes such as family relationships, aging, and the search for identity.
“The Stone Angel” is divided into ten chapters, each of which shifts back and forth between the present time (the 1960s) and an earlier period in Hagar’s life. The narrative is written in the first person from Hagar’s perspective, and at times almost breaks into stream-of-consciousness writing as Hagar gradually loses lucidity due to old age and illness.
Margaret Laurence: Author’s Background
Margaret Laurence was a Canadian novelist and short-story writer. She was born in Neepawa, Manitoba, on July 18, 1926, and died on January 5, 1987. Laurence’s writing is known for its strong sense of place, particularly the prairies of Western Canada.
Laurence was awarded numerous literary awards throughout her career, including two Governor General’s Awards for Fiction, the Molson Prize, and the Companion of the Order of Canada. She was also a prominent social activist, advocating for peace, women’s rights, and environmental protection.
Laurence’s personal experiences heavily influenced her writing. She had a difficult childhood, losing both of her parents at a young age. This traumatic event inspired her to explore themes of loss and grief in her writing. Additionally, Laurence spent many years living in Africa with her husband, where she was exposed to the cultural and political complexities of the continent. This experience informed her later works, including her acclaimed African trilogy.
The Symbolism of the Stone Angel
The Stone Angel is a central symbol in Margaret Laurence’s novel, The Stone Angel. The statue of an angel is introduced at the beginning of the novel and is identified as ancient and battered by the ravages of time and the elements. Hagar, the narrator, strongly identifies with the statue. Hagar is rigid and unbending in her attitudes, abrasive and hard to many of the other people around her, and the statue represents her pride, blindness to her own faults, and emotional detachment.
The statue is also a symbol of Hagar’s mother, Regina, who died giving birth to Hagar. The statue represents Hagar’s attempt to connect with her mother, who she never knew, and her own mortality. The statue’s sightlessness is also significant, as it represents Hagar’s own blindness to the consequences of her actions and her inability to see beyond her own perspective.
The Stone Angel is also a symbol of the town of Manawaka, which is itself a symbol of small-town life in Canada. The statue represents the town’s history and the ways in which the town’s residents are bound to the past. The statue’s age and deterioration also represent the decline of the town and its residents.
Hagar Shipley: A Character Analysis
Hagar’s Pride
Hagar Shipley, the protagonist of Margaret Laurence’s novel “The Stone Angel,” is a complex character whose pride shapes her life and relationships. Hagar’s pride is rooted in her family history and her desire to maintain her independence and dignity. Despite her age and declining health, Hagar remains fiercely independent and refuses to accept help from others. This pride often leads to conflict with her family and friends, as Hagar is unwilling to compromise or admit her mistakes.
Hagar’s Emotional Journey
Throughout the novel, Hagar’s emotional journey is marked by a series of flashbacks to her youth and memories of her past. These memories reveal the trauma and pain that Hagar has experienced in her life, including the loss of her brother, the breakdown of her marriage, and the death of her son. Hagar’s emotional journey is also shaped by her relationships with the people around her, including her father, her husband, and her children.
Themes in “The Stone Angel”
Pride and the Fall
One of the main themes in “The Stone Angel” is pride and the fall that comes with it. Throughout the novel, the protagonist Hagar Shipley struggles with her pride, which often leads her to make poor decisions and treat others poorly. Her pride also causes her to become isolated from others, leading to a sense of loneliness and despair. Ultimately, Hagar’s pride leads to her downfall, as she is unable to accept help and dies alone.
The Struggle for Identity
Another important theme in “The Stone Angel” is the struggle for identity. Hagar Shipley spends much of her life trying to define herself, both in relation to others and in relation to her own past. She struggles with her role as a woman, a mother, and a daughter, and often feels trapped by societal expectations. Hagar’s search for identity is complicated by her pride and her stubbornness, which prevent her from fully connecting with others and understanding herself.
Aging and Mortality
Aging and mortality are also prominent themes in “The Stone Angel.” As Hagar Shipley grows older, she becomes increasingly aware of her own mortality and the limitations of her body and mind. She struggles with the loss of independence and the fear of death, which leads her to reflect on her life and the choices she has made. The novel explores the ways in which aging and mortality can affect a person’s sense of self and their relationships with others.
Allegorical Elements in the Novel
Biblical Allusions
The Stone Angel contains several biblical allusions that serve as allegorical elements in the novel. For instance, the stone angel statue is a symbol of Hagar’s pride and emotional detachment. This is reminiscent of the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, where the people’s pride led to their downfall. Additionally, Hagar’s name is a reference to the biblical story of Hagar, the servant of Sarah, who was cast out into the wilderness with her son Ishmael. Similarly, Hagar Shipley is also an outcast, rejected by her family and community.
Canadian Prairie as Allegory
The Canadian prairie serves as an allegory for the harshness of life and the struggles of the human condition. The barren landscape, extreme weather conditions, and isolation of the prairie reflect the emotional and psychological struggles of the characters in the novel. Hagar’s journey from the prairie to the city represents her search for meaning in her life and her attempt to escape the limitations of her environment. The prairie also represents the idea of home and the connection to one’s roots, which is a central theme in the novel.
Literary Devices Used
Margaret Laurence’s “The Stone Angel” is a novel that employs a variety of literary devices to enhance the narrative and convey deeper meanings. Here are the top three literary devices employed in the novel.
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is a literary device used to give a hint or clue about what is going to happen later in the story. Laurence uses foreshadowing throughout the novel to hint at the tragic fate of the protagonist, Hagar Shipley. For example, when Hagar visits the cemetery and sees her own name on a tombstone, it foreshadows her eventual death. This technique creates a sense of anticipation and suspense in the reader.
Imagery
Imagery is a literary device that uses sensory details to create a vivid picture in the reader’s mind. Laurence uses imagery throughout the novel to create a sense of time and place. For example, the description of the stone angel monument, which represents Hagar’s pride and emotional detachment, is a powerful image that recurs throughout the novel. The use of imagery helps the reader to visualize the setting and characters and to understand their emotions and motivations.
Irony
Irony is a literary device that involves a contradiction between what is expected and what actually happens. Laurence uses irony to highlight the flaws and contradictions in Hagar’s character. For example, Hagar’s pride and stubbornness, which she views as strengths, ultimately lead to her downfall. This use of irony creates a sense of dramatic tension and emphasizes the tragic nature of the story.
Critical Reception and Interpretation
The Stone Angel by Margaret Laurence has received critical acclaim since its publication in 1964. The novel’s complex use of allegory has been the subject of much interpretation and analysis. Critics have praised Laurence’s ability to create a richly detailed and nuanced character in Hagar Shipley, the novel’s protagonist.
Many critics have noted the novel’s use of symbolism, with the stone angel serving as a powerful allegory for Hagar’s own life. The angel represents both Hagar’s stubbornness and her desire for redemption, as well as the ways in which she is trapped by her own past. Some have also interpreted the novel as a commentary on the role of women in society, particularly the ways in which they are often marginalized and silenced.
Despite the novel’s critical success, some have criticized Laurence’s writing style, arguing that it can be overly sentimental or heavy-handed at times. However, even these critics have acknowledged the novel’s powerful themes and the strength of its central character.
Overall, The Stone Angel remains a beloved classic of Canadian literature, and its allegorical themes continue to resonate with readers today.
The Stone Angel in the Context of Canadian Literature
The Stone Angel is a novel by Margaret Laurence, a Canadian author born in Neepawa, Manitoba. The book is a classic of Canadian literature, and it is widely studied and celebrated for its vivid portrayal of the Canadian prairies and the complexities of human relationships.
In the novel, Laurence explores the themes of aging, family, and the search for identity. Through the character of Hagar Shipley, a proud and stubborn woman who is struggling to come to terms with her past, Laurence creates a powerful allegory that speaks to the experiences of many Canadians.
The Stone Angel is set in the fictitious town of Manawaka, Manitoba, which is a recurring setting in Laurence’s work. The novel is part of a series of five books that are set in Manawaka, and it is considered a masterpiece of Canadian literature.
Laurence’s writing style is characterized by its vivid descriptions of the Canadian landscape and its deep understanding of the human condition. The Stone Angel is a powerful example of her ability to capture the essence of Canadian life and culture in her work.