The Stone Angle: Compare Hagar to Murray Lee - Essay Example

English June 20, A Comparison Between the Characters of Hagar and Murray Lees of ‘The Stone Angel’ ‘The Stone Angel’ is a novel written bythe Canadian writer, Margaret Laurence. The novel draws the female character of Hagar, a ninety year old female who recounts her past life as she awaits her doom to be unwillingly sent to the nursing home by her son. Her reflections on her past acquaint the reader of Hagar’s character. Her experiences in childhood, her interaction with her father, her past decisions in life, i.e. her marriage to Bram against the wishes of her parents, and then finally her marital life and birth of two sons, all throw light on Hagar’s character as a woman of pride, who revelled in her own decisions.

Yet, the beauty of her character lies in the fact that her reflections coupled with her encounter with other characters, help her to come to terms with her self, her emotions and her past life. This process of self-realization is assisted by the character of Murray Lees, who is seen to have certain similarities as well as differences with Hagar’s character. He too has his stories to narrate, which he shares with Hagar, during their chance encounter. Just as Hagar had gone against her family in her marriage to Bram, Murray Lees had betrayed his evangelical beliefs and his family who were advocates of the belief system, in making his wife pregnant before marriage.

He believes that the death of his child, which followed, was the punishment he had to bear for the sin he had committed. While, Hagar too was made to suffer the loss of her son John, when he dies in an accident, the contrast between the two characters is seen in their approach towards their fate. Murray Lees is seen to be clearly grieved over the loss of his child, as is Hagar. However, his attitude, in comparison to Hagar, is one of acceptance and quiet resignation. Hagar on the other hand, seen to be filled with the desire of controlling her life as well as that of her children’s, openly voices her anger against his death and her feelings that his death was unnecessary and senseless.

It is Murray Lees who then warns her against trying to control those aspects of human life, in which she had no control over and to which she had no choice but to surrender to the will of provenance. Another contrast between the two characters is seen in the aspect of intrusion. Hagar meddles with her son’s decisions in life, disapproving of his girlfriend and their decision of marriage. Murray Lee, in meeting Hagar and listening to her stories also meddles, when he breaks his promise to her and reports her to her son, Marvin.

However the difference lies in the motive behind the intrusion. Murray Lees reason for intruding as he states was ‘for (her) own good.’ Hagar, though initially unforgiving, realizes the intention behind his action and forgives him. Thus, while the two characters are seen to have undergone similar experiences in life, yet their difference arises in the way they have handled their respective situations. Murray has learned from his mistakes unlike Hagar. However, through his introduction in the novel, he helps Hagar reach a self-realization that is necessary for her to reach before her death.

Thus, the writer introduces Murray’s character to bring out a positive change in Hagar’s character. She draws upon the similarities between the two characters and thus allows Hagar to relate to him and to bring about a change in herself by rising above, from the proud woman she had once been. Works Cited Laurence, Margaret. The Stone Angel. Chicago. 1964. The University of Chicago Press.