The Tragedy of Hagar Shipley

576 Words2 Pages

In the classic Canadian novel The Stone Angel, Margaret Laurence tells the story of an elderly woman named Hagar Shipley. Hagar may seem like any other stubborn, difficult old woman. But the life and memories of Hagar are what make The Stone Angel a truly provoking and tragic tale. Since the very beginning of her life, Hagar had been raised and surrounded by men. One man specifically; her father, Jason Currie is where Hagar receives the majority of her traits. Jason is an incredibly stubborn, strong and proud man. A wealthy salesman with a reputation to sustain, Jason holds a firm grip on his only daughter for a quarter of her life. Like many children who are sheltered by their parents, Hagar acts out and marries a man, despite clear instruction by her father not to. This would lead to her husband, Brampton Shipley holding a similar control of Hagar, yet again, trapping her in a life she does not understand nor want. With age Hagar loses the ability to live on her own and take care of herself, becoming dependent on the help of the son she never loved, Marvin, and his wife...

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