What are the various functions that the stone angel serves in the novel The Stone Angel
"The Stone Angel" is a
novel that tells the story of Hagar Shipley, an elderly woman reflecting on her
life and experiences as she approaches the end of her life. Throughout the
novel, the stone angel, a monument in the cemetery that Hagar visits, takes on
several functions, representing different aspects of Hagar's life and the
broader themes of the novel.
A Physical Memorial
Essentially, the stone angel is a
tangible tribute to Hagar's mother, symbolizing her father's devotion and
affection. It is a concrete depiction of the affluence, social standing, and
history of her family. The angel that was placed in the graveyard bears witness
to the Shipley family's prominence in the neighborhood and their wish to honor
their departed loved ones.
A Symbol of Wealth
and Status
The stone angel also represents the Shipley family's wealth and status within the community. It is described as a "splendid piece of carving" and "as stately as the first of my family to come to Manawaka." This depiction reflects the family's affluence and social standing, which are important to Hagar's father, Jason Currie.
What are the various functions that the stone angel serves in the novel The Stone Angel-The stone angel serves as a symbol of the family's success and
prestige, which they worked hard to maintain and display to the community.
A Reflection of
Hagar's Stubbornness
Hagar's stubbornness and
strong-willed nature are mirrored in the stone angel. Just as Hagar resists her
son Marvin's attempts to move her to a nursing home, the stone angel stands
immovable in the cemetery, unaffected by the passage of time and the changing
dynamics of the town. This symbolizes Hagar's determination to maintain her
independence and her reluctance to adapt to the changing world around her.
A Representation of
Hagar's Unyielding Pride
The stone angel reflects Hagar's
unyielding pride and refusal to admit weakness or vulnerability. Like the
angel, Hagar is rigid and unyielding, even when faced with her own frailty and
the consequences of her choices. She clings to her pride, and the stone angel
serves as a visual representation of this aspect of her character. It is
unyielding and resistant to change, much like Hagar herself.
A Symbol of
Constrained Emotions
Throughout the novel, Hagar's
emotional life is repressed and hidden from those around her, including her own
family. The stone angel, with its "closed lips," is a symbol of this
emotional restraint. Just as the angel conceals its emotions, Hagar also
conceals her feelings and struggles to express herself, which has significant
consequences in her relationships with her husband, children, and those around
her.
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A Reflection of
Hagar's Isolation
Hagar's isolation and loneliness are
reflected in the stone angel's solitary presence in the cemetery. The angel
stands alone, detached from the other graves and monuments, much like Hagar,
who often feels emotionally isolated from her family and community. Her
inability to connect with others and the sense of alienation she experiences
are embodied in the solitary nature of the stone angel.
A Symbol of
Mortality and Death
The stone angel serves as a constant reminder of mortality and the inevitability of death. As Hagar ages and reflects on her life, she becomes increasingly aware of her own mortality. The angel, standing as a sentinel in the cemetery, signifies the passage of time and the certainty of death. It is a reminder that all living beings, no matter their wealth or status, will eventually face death.
A Metaphor for Aging
As Hagar ages and her physical and
mental health deteriorate, the stone angel becomes a metaphor for the aging
process. The angel, which was once pristine and majestic, has weathered and
eroded over time, much like Hagar's body and mind. This reflects the universal
experience of aging and the inevitable changes that come with it.
A Symbol of Female
Strength and Resilience
The stone angel can also be seen as
a symbol of female strength and resilience. Hagar, though flawed and complex,
possesses a strong spirit and a determination to assert her independence. The
stone angel, carved in the image of a woman, stands as a representation of this
strength, reminding readers of the resilience of women in the face of
adversity.
A Reflection of
Family Legacy
The stone angel carries the legacy
of Hagar's family, and it becomes a symbol of the generational cycle in the
novel. It is the place where Hagar goes to remember her family's history,
including her father, brothers, and husband. It also marks the place were her
own ashes will be interred after her death. In this way, the stone angel
represents the ongoing cycle of life and death within the Shipley family and
the broader community.
A Symbol of Redemption and Forgiveness
Towards the end of the novel, as Hagar comes to terms with her own mortality and reconciles with her past, the stone angel takes on a new significance. It becomes a symbol of Hagar's potential for redemption and forgiveness. In her final moments, she imagines the stone angel's eyes "brighten with forgiveness," suggesting that, in death, she may find the forgiveness and peace that eluded her in life.
A Reflection of the
Town of Manawaka
The stone angel also represents the
town of Manawaka, which is a central setting in the novel. Just as the angel is
a fixture in the cemetery, it reflects the enduring presence of the town in
Hagar's life. Manawaka is the place where Hagar grew up, lived, and ultimately
faces her final moments, and the stone angel symbolizes the inextricable
connection between Hagar and her hometown.
Conclusion
The stone angel is a multifaceted symbol that has a variety of uses in Margaret Laurence's novel "The Stone Angel," both literally and figuratively. The stone angel serves as a metaphor for a number of themes and ideas in this literary masterwork, such as aging, pride, mortality, family legacy, emotional restraint, and the path to forgiveness and redemption.
What are the various functions that the stone angel serves in the novel The Stone Angel-The fact that the stone angel functions as the
novel's fundamental, unifying feature and reflects the complexity and depth of
both the protagonist, Hagar Shipley, and the larger human experience is a
credit to Laurence's writing prowess.
Through its many functions, the
stone angel becomes a powerful vehicle for exploring the complexities of human
nature, aging, and the struggle for identity and connection. It stands as a
reminder that in literature, even inanimate objects can carry deep symbolic
weight and offer profound insights into the human condition.
FAQ.
What is the significance of the stone angel in "The Stone
Angel"?
The stone angel in the novel serves
a range of functions, symbolizing family legacy, pride, mortality, aging,
emotional restraint, isolation, and the journey towards redemption and
forgiveness. It plays a central role in conveying the novel's themes and the
complexities of the protagonist, Hagar Shipley.
How does the stone angel reflect Hagar Shipley's character?
The stone angel mirrors Hagar's
stubbornness, pride, and emotional restraint. It also represents her isolation
and loneliness. Over the course of the novel, it becomes a symbol of her
potential for redemption and forgiveness.
What themes does the stone angel represent in the novel?
The stone angel symbolizes various
themes, including family legacy, aging, mortality, pride, and the quest for
redemption and forgiveness. It acts as a multifaceted symbol that enriches the
narrative and provides insight into the human experience.
How does the stone angel evolve in the novel?
Throughout the novel, the stone
angel's significance evolves as Hagar Shipley's character undergoes changes and
self-reflection. In her final moments, it takes on a new meaning, representing
the potential for redemption and forgiveness.
What is the connection between the stone angel and the town of
Manawaka?
The stone angel symbolizes the
enduring connection between Hagar Shipley and her hometown, Manawaka. It is a
fixture in the town's cemetery and reflects the place's significance in Hagar's
life.
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