a summation of pride related occurrences in the st
a single Angel Natural stone AngelA Summation of Pride-Related Occurrences in The Stone Angel
Margaret Laurences The Stone Angel is one of the the majority of acclaimed Canadian novels in history. In this story, the most current theme is pride, this is certainly seen mainly through the leading part, Hagar, but also through other characters, such as Jason Currie. As John Tree states, What gives Margaret Laurences eye-sight the resonant dimensions of universal truth is theinterlacing of the destructive and constructive associated with (Hagars) recalcitrant pridePride is known as a double-edged blade.
Certainly, her great pride assists her to handle the many difficulties she encounters throughout her life. This kind of pride, yet , also isolates inclination and response (J. Moss), causing several strained relationships which in turn Hagar was unable to mend. John Tree believes that Hagars take great pride in repeatedly jailed her within thwarted amour and misdirected emotion.
More specifically, her pride triggered such things as an unhappy marriage with Brampton Shipley and a severance of ties with her dad, Jason, and her brother, Matt. Her pride acts her best in her dying days, when ever she will certainly not submit to frailty and deferential concern. She rages against the declining of the mild with the same wrong-headed spleen that the lady had constantly displayedin the counterpointed present herpride is heroic (J. Moss).
Definition of Pride:
Pride in. 1 . Inordinate self-esteem, substantial opinion of ones personal importance or worth, selfishness. 2 .
arrogance, haughtiness. 3. professional self-respect, personal dignity.
4.
smug satisfaction taken in the achievements of oneself or another. 5. a person or perhaps thing in what type takes such pleasure.
Analysis in the Theme of Satisfaction via a Short Summation of Pride-Related Situations: The 1st reference to pride is in the second sentence of the novel: Hagar describes the Stone Angel as my mothers angel that my dad bought in pride to mark her bones and proclaim his dynasty (3).
Hagars father was a very happy man, a characteristic that was passed on to his little girl, and he takes great pride from this terribly expensive statue, which usually had been helped bring from Italia and was pure light marble (3). Hagar recollects exhibiting her pride as early as age 6 when states There was I actually, strutting the board sidewalk like a pint-sized peacock, resplendent, haughty, hoity-toity, Jason Curries black-haired daughter (6). Jerrika Currie was a self-made person who had ripped himself up by his bootstraps (7). Hagar was very proud of her fathers success, since how he previously begun without money (14).
Hagars daddy, because he performed so hard, got great enjoyment in his store. She says, Daddy took such pride shopping youd have thought it was the only person on earth. It was the first in Manawaka, so I speculate he had because of cause. He would lean through the counter, growing his hands, and smile so wonderfully youd feel he welcomed the world (9).
Mr. Currie had increased self-esteem, as seen if the Reverend Dougall MacCulloch was calling out your names of the people who acquired contributed to support build the brand new church. Jerr Curried leaned over and arrogantly said to his daughter I and Luke McVitie mustve given the most, as he known as our brands the initial (16). The Curries placed very high viewpoints of themselves, this is demonstrated when Hagar refers to her father, expressing, Matt and Dan and I always understood he could never have helped bring himself to marry his housekeeper (17).
The pleasure she experienced in her youth exists also when Hagar is definitely grown up. She’s frustrated at both her lack of skill and her arthritis, which in turn causes her to fall (31). Her reaction is as comes after: I understand the tears, my own they must be although they have leapt so unbidden I feel they may be like the énurétique wetness in the infirm. Trickling, they taunt down my personal face.
They are not any tears of mine, before her. My spouse and i dismiss them, blaspheme against them be sure to let them be gone. Yet I have not really spoken and they are generally still right now there (31). Afterwards, Hagar descends the stairs on her behalf own and smugly considers I contain the banister snugly, and of course Im all right, flawlessly all right,?nternet site always was when I have not got a group (33).
If the minister from Doris parish visits Hagar, her personal dignity is definitely at risk. In her thoughts, she describes the incident. I take a seat uncomfortably. I am puffed up, full, weighted down, and I fear I might pass blowing wind.
On the other hand, for the ministers call I have for least put on my gray flowered dressand the flowers, sprinkled liberally, almost conquer the gray (40)Early in the second chapter, there are several instances by which Hagar pleasure prevents her from responding to her inclinations. The 1st occurs prior to Hagar leaves for school: she wanted to tell her close friend Matt that he needs to have been normally the one to go to college, but she actually is unable to do it and Later, in the train, your woman cried (42). Further in, she is unable to attempt to get back together after a challenge with her father relating to whether or not she would pursue a job as a instructor. This is how she remembers the incident: We jerked my hand away as if I had inadvertently set it on a sizzling stove.
He didnt say a word. He switched and went outside We felt I have to pursue him, say it absolutely was a passing thing but not meant. Nevertheless I didnt (44, 45). Hagar seems a great loss of pride the moment she scans the advertisement pertaining to the Silverthreads nursing house and realizes what her son and daughter-in-law have been planning and why Doris had invited the ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) over.
(53, 54) Afterwards, Bateau realizes so what happened and tries to pacify Hagar, however , Hagar will not be appeased (56). Hagar is, once more, at a loss the moment she realizes that shes been dreaming while Bateau has been talking to her. Hagar thinks How much time have I been position here with lowered brain, twiddling while using silken items that covers myself? Now I was mortified, apologetic (57). Her pride provides the best of her during a spat with Bateau concerning the nursing home.
Hagar turns and walks away, wishing to be haughty, but hideously hitting the edge of the dining-room table (58). The mixture of Jason Curries pride, which usually caused him to feel Bram was unworthy of his little girl, and Hagars pride, which kept her from acting upon her inclinations, induced the severance of their relationship after your woman got married against his wants. When Hagar first kid was born, this individual did not go to see him mainly because Perhaps this individual didnt think as though Marvin were actually his grandson (62). As luck would have it, Hagar sensed that Marvin was not seriously her child, however , her reasons had been dissimilar to his.
Following your death of her dad, Hagar is upset that he did not leave her any money in the will, he gave the money to the preservation from the family plan and to the city. In response, the town made the Currie Funeral Park, which will Hagar forever despises due to her selfishness. She remembers this area in her thoughts: nearly circular beds of petunias proclaimed my fathers growing old in mauve and green frilled petals. Even now, I detest petunias (64).
Marvin and Doris wish to venture out for a motion picture one evening and decide to have a neighbour visit to care for Hagar. They are really worried about giving her alone because of her various health problems. The happy old woman, however , is pretty offended, expressing You think I need a sitter, like a child (67). Night time is called away and an argument ensues.
Due to her upbringing, Hagar was always pleased with the way your woman and her relatives attired. After her marriage, yet , she found some issues. She remembers Marvin, your day he started college, wearing a sailor man suit and a confront blank as water. This individual hated that navy-blue suit for most of the other boys used overalls.
I soon gave up planning to dress him decently and let him put on overalls, also Brams children used to give me the overalls their kids had produced out of. How this galled me (69)Hagars pleasure toward her husband come only from his looks, for Whatever any person said of him, no one could refuse he was a fantastic looking man I could have already been proud, likely to town or church with him, only if hed by no means opened his mouth (69, 70). Marvin and Bateau humble Hagar as they produce her which they are unable to care for her, your woman needs a registered nurse to lift her and there are several other problems that they are not able to deal with. As they try to convince her of how nice Silverthreads is, she reacts with hostility, stating, Full of petunias, I suppose (73-75).
Hagar believes that everyone is planning to destroy what little dignity she has remaining. Hagars take great pride in takes one other thrashing since she requires Doris help to get undressed. Her thoughts are: How it irks me to have to take her hand, allow her to pull my costume over my head, undo my own corsets and strip these people off me, and have her see my blue-veined swollen drag (77). Through her marriage with Brampton Shipley, Hagar prides herself upon keeping her take great pride in intact, just like some maidenhead (81).
Hagar, in her later years, required great delight in spiting Doris. The girl recollects one time: Ahead of we emerged, Doris taken care of that over a warm working day like this, Identification perspire and spoil my lilac man made fibre, but My spouse and i wore this despite her (90). Although she was unable to shed tears following the deaths of her close family members, Hagar is, actually, moved to holes one day on the bus. A teenage girlrises and gives me her chair.
Just how very kind of her. I will scarcely jerk my bless you, fearing shell see my unseemly tears. And once again it seems an oddity, i should have remained unweeping more than my useless men and now possess two deep salt springs inside my face above such a triviality since this. There is no explaining it (92).
As Hagar, Marvin, and Doris happen to be touring the Silverthreads nursing home against Hagars will she says My spouse and i never cared for barracks in reply to Doris inquiry as to whether Hagar enjoyed the dining hall. Hagar is, yet , ashamed that she said so , since the place is extremely nice and her rude comment was quite unnecessary. She thinks I did previously pride myself on my ways. How include I originated to this snarl? (98)Hagar got great pride in her second boy, John.
She acquired never sensed that Marvin was truly her boy, because the girl had not wished a child at that time, with Steve, however , she reacted quite differently. This is one way she remembers his delivery: It was a fairly easy birth I took to him at once, and was surprised. But there was clearly no fighting off him. This individual looked thus alert, his eyes extensive and open.
I had formed to giggle. Such slightly whiffet to get so spirited. He had black hair, a normal sheaf of computer. Black while my own, I thought, forgetting intended for the moment that Bram was black-haired as well (122).
Hagar is significantly humbled when ever she and John head to Lottie Driesers house to provide eggs and Lottie little girl calls Hagar The egg woman. Hagar remembers that: I couldnt look at Ruben, nor he at me personally. I think we both looked blindly ahead at the lighted kitchen, like bewildered moths (132). When Hagar is planning to leave Bram, she rejects his recommendation to steam some eggs to eat around the train, stating I wouldnt take ova onto a train Theyd think i was hicks.
Even though her life moved downhill since she married him, she has always been capable of retain her pride. (142)Hagar, needing a young girls assist to get to Darkness Point, recalls that particular pride that youths truly feel, as your woman thinks Probably shell slip away, recover haughtiness only the young may muster, unwilling to be irritated (147). While living with and working for Mister. Oatley, Hagar is proud of how fast John makes new friends.
Your woman states that he may charm the birds off the trees when he wanted to, that boy. But when she telephone calls the Connors to ask these to send John home, Mrs. Connor responds You must become mad. We certainly have no kid called David.
Hagar never told John He kept on spinning his spider-webs, and I could never take myself to say a word. Instead, I attempted to show him I supported him (156, 157). When John is getting ready to keep for Manawaka, Hagars take great pride in once again keeps her coming from expressing herself properly. I walked towards the wrought-iron gateway of Mr.
Oatleys house with him, looking only to feel his brown impatient deal with but not daring to (167). Bram, being sick and near death, does not remember Hagar if he sees her. He says Funny you put myself in mind of somebody..
. Maybe Clara. Yeh, her. Hagars self-esteem is greatly hurt, pertaining to The woman I actually reminded him of was his excess fat and cow-like first better half (173).
Just like she got done with the death of both her brothers and her dad, Hagar remained stone-faced at the death of Bram. Maybe she was too happy, or perhaps the girl had not loved him, nevertheless Brampton Shipley passed away it absolutely was John who cried, certainly not I (184). While at Shadow Point, Hagar falls and becomes caught like an overturned ladybugI injure all over, but the worst is the fact Im helpless. I increase enraged.
.. Probably the anger gives me strength..
. Pleased as Napoleon or Lucifer, I stand and survey the wasteland Ive conquered. My feces knot, Thats the indignity of it (191). Even in victory, she is unable to keep her pride.
Once, when ever John got too much to imbibe and got within a fight, Arlene Simmons forced him residence from a dance, during nighttime. Although David was delighted that Arlene seemed to look after him Hagar was extremely upset and she explained Yes, the lady did, and i also can tell you I wasnt very pleased with you, having her help you like that (198). After ability to hear that both Telford and Lottie Simmons had been on the dance together seen David, Hagar says If you desired to make this completely not possible for me ever to hold up my head again in this city, youve undoubtedly succeeded (199). Lottie always took wonderful pride in her just child, Arlene.
Once thinking of the time that Lottie and Hagar are talking about the relationship between Arlene and John, Hagar remembers: The girl preened slightly, and glowed, mother of peacocks, queen-maker, Rapunzels dam. (211)Just one or two hours before Johns death, Hagar tries to explain to him how to maintain his dignity, saying Within a place exactly where everyone knows everybody else you have to avoid not only nasty but the presence of wicked (238). Following John drops dead, Hagar once again does not cry. She feels your woman must not just bear the pain only, but that she simply cannot allow very little to be encouraged by other folks.
A matron acquired put her arm around her and said Weep. Let your self. Its the best thing. In response, Hagar remembers that I shoved her arm aside.
My spouse and i straightened my personal spine and that was the hardest thing Ive ever had to do in my whole life, to stand straight in that case. I wouldnt cry looking at strangers, no matter what it might require me to pay (242). When she go back home, Hagar found that your woman was not in a position to cry. The night my child died I used to be transformed to stone and not wept by any means (243).
Mistaking Murray Farreneheit. Lees for John, Hagar forgets her usual selfishness and finally talks the words that she never got to declare before John died. I reach out, nearly amused inside my timidity, and lightly place my fingers against his wrist If theres a time of talking, its certainly now. I actually didnt genuinely mean this, about not really bringing her here.
A person speaks in haste. I have always had a temper. Ive spoken so calmly, thus reasonably. He cant in most conscience decline what I have said (247).
In a amazingly real minute of clarity, Hagar finally realizes her self-worth. Hard to imagine a global and I not in that. Will every thing stop once i do? Stupid old luggage, who do you consider you are? Hagar. Theres no one different like me in this world (250).
Following Murray fails his guarantee not to inform Marvin and Doris where Hagar is definitely, the elderly ladys usual haughtiness returns. He is waiting for me personally to excuse him. Im or her about to the words I am aware, I know, you really couldnt help it it isnt your wrong doing. But these are not the words that come.
Cannot stop The first Ive spoken today, and my voice croaks. Born in us meddle, meddle couldnt stop in order to save our souls’ (252). Hagar, however , shortly remembers the lengthy discussion theyd acquired the night before and is also able to reduce Mr. Lees.
Impulsively, hardly knowing what Im performing, I touch base and contact his arm. I didnt mean to speak crossly. I Im my apologies about your son. Having voiced so , Personally i think lightened and eased.
He appear surprised and shaken, yet somehow renewed (253). Sick and tired with a severe disease and ordered to stay in bed, Hagar is still the proud girl shes always been. When a nurse finds Hagar trying to get to the bathroom on her behalf own, the nurse tries to help Hagar, who responds by declaring Oh, I actually hate staying helpedIve usually done items for me (276). When the doctor comes around and requests Hagar exactly how are we todayNot too bad, although, eh? your woman lies, saying, I guess not really.
She then realizes that this fake pride will never help her in any way. Abruptly, Im mad at my pleasure and pretenseIt hurtsAt night, it hurts therefore much’ (277). Hagar, spending most of her time showing upon her life, sums up just how her satisfaction has affected her your life by declaring Pride was my wilderness, and the satanic force that led me there was fear. I used to be alone, under no circumstances anything else, rather than free, intended for I taken my chains within me personally, and they spread out from myself and shackled all I actually touched.
Oh, just a few, my lifeless. Dead by your own hands or by simply mine? Nothing at all can take away those years (292). This is a key passage in understanding Hagars character by the end because this passageway fully shows how Hagar sees her life. Although lying in bed, very close to death, Hagar reveals her feelings to Marvin with unprecedented integrity: Im anxious.
Marvin, Im and so frightened- I believe its the 1st time in my life Ive ever stated such anything (303). Throughout her your life, and unto the end, Hagar is too happy to ask for Gods help. The girl begins to hope, thinking Our Father number I want not any part of that.
All I can believe is Bless me or not, Head of the family, just as You please, pertaining to Ill certainly not beg (307). Hagars brutal pride is shown for the final time when a health professional tries to help her beverage some water. Hagar says Here, give it to me. Oh, to get mercys benefit let me maintain it me! I just defeat personally by not accepting her.
I know this I understand it well. But I cant help it its my own nature. Sick drink from this glass, or spill that, just as I select. Ill not countenance any individual elses having it for me I wrest from her the glass, full of water to be had to get the acquiring.
My spouse and i hold that in my individual hands. Generally there. There. And then – (308)
