A Summation of Pride

A Summation of Pride-Related Occurrences in The St Essay one Angel Stone AngelA Summation of Pride-Related Occurrences in The Stone Angel Margaret Laurences The Stone Angel is one of the most acclaimed Canadian novels of all time. In this novel, the most prevailing theme is that of pride; this is seen predominantly through the protagonist, Hagar, but also through other characters, such as Jason Currie. As John Moss states, What gives Margaret Laurences vision the resonant dimensions of universal truth is theinterlacing of the destructive and constructive effects of (Hagars) recalcitrant pridePride is a double-edged sword. Indeed, her great pride helps her to cope with the many difficulties she faces throughout her life. This pride, however, also separates inclination and response (J. Moss), resulting in several strained relationships which Hagar was unable to mend. John Moss believes that Hagars pride repeatedly imprisoned her within the confines of thwarted affections and misdirected emotion. More specifically, her pride caused such things as an unhappy marriage with Brampton Shipley and a severance of all ties with her father, Jason, and her brother, Matt. Her pride serves her best in her dying days, when she will not submit to frailty and deferential concern. She rages against the dying of the light with the same wrong-headed spleen that she had always displayedin the counterpointed present herpride is heroic (J. Moss). Definition of Pride: Pride n. 1. Inordinate self-esteem; high opinion of ones own importance or worth; conceit. 2. arrogance; haughtiness. 3. honorable self-respect; personal dignity. 4. smug pleasure taken in the success of oneself or another. 5. a person or thing in which one takes such pleasure. Analysis of the Theme of Pride via a Short Summation of Pride-Related Occurrences: The first reference to pride is in the second sentence of the novel: Hagar describes the Stone Angel as my mothers angel that my father bought in pride to mark her bones and proclaim his dynasty (3). Hagars father was a very proud man, a trait that was passed on to his daughter, and he takes great pride in this terribly expensive statue, which had been brought from Italy and was pure white marble (3).Hagar recollects exhibiting her pride as early as age 6 when she says There was I, strutting the board sidewalk like a pint-sized peacock, resplendent, haughty, hoity-toity, Jason Curries black-haired daughter (6).Jason Currie was a self-made man who had pulled himself up by his bootstraps (7). Hagar was very proud of her fathers success, seeing as how he had begun without money (14). Hagars father, because he worked so hard, took great pleasure in his store. She says, Father took such pride in the store youd have thought it was the only one on earth. It was the first in Manawaka, so I guess he had due cause. He would lean across the counter, spreading his hands, and smile so wonderfully youd feel he welcomed the world (9). Mr. Currie had excessive self-esteem, as seen when the Reverend Dougall MacCulloch was calling out the names of the people who had contributed to help build the new church. Jason Curried leaned over and arrogantly said to his daughter I and Luke McVitie mustve given the most, as he called our names the first (16).The Curries held very high opinions of themselves; this is shown when Hagar refers to her father, saying, Matt and Dan and I always knew he could never have brought himself to marry his housekeeper (17). The pride she felt in her youth is present also when Hagar is grown up. She is frustrated at both her lack of coordination and her arthritis, which causes her to fall (31). Her reaction is as follows: I perceive the tears, my own they must be although they have sprung so unbidden I feel they are like the incontinent wetness of the infirm. Trickling, they taunt down my face. They are no tears of mine, in front of her. I dismiss them, blaspheme against them let them be gone. But I have not spoken and they are still there (31). Later, Hagar descends the stairs on her own and smugly thinks I hold the banister tightly, and of course Im all right, perfectly all right, as I always am when I havent got an audience (33). When the minister from Doris parish visits Hagar, her personal dignity is definitely at risk. In her thoughts, she describes the incident. I sit uncomfortably. I am bloated, full, weighted down, and I fear I may pass wind. Nevertheless, for the ministers call I have at least put on my gray flowered dressand the flowers, sprinkled liberally, almost overcome the gray (40)Early in the second chapter, there are several instances in which Hagar pride prevents her from responding to her inclinations. The first occurs just before Hagar leaves for college: she wanted to tell her brother Matt that he should have been the one to go to college, but she is unable to do so and Later, in the train, she cried (42). Further on, she is unable to attempt to reconcile after a dispute with her father concerning whether or not she would pursue a career as a teacher. This is how she remembers the incident: I jerked my hand away as though I had accidentally set it on a hot stove. He didnt say a word. He turned and went outside I felt I must pursue him, say it was a passing thing and not meant. But I didnt (44, 45).Hagar feels a great loss of pride when she reads the advertisement for the Silverthreads nursing home and realizes what her son and daughter-in-law have been planning and why Doris had invited the minister over. (53, 54) Afterwards, Doris realizes what happened and tries to pacify Hagar; however, Hagar will not be appeased (56).Hagar is, once again, at a loss when she realizes that shes been daydreaming while Doris has been talking to her. Hagar thinks How long have I been standing here with lowered head, twiddling with the silken stuff that covers me? Now I am mortified, apologetic (57).Her pride gets the best of her during an argument with Doris 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 combination of Jason Curries pride, which caused him to feel Bram was unworthy of his daughter, and Hagars pride, which kept her from acting upon her inclinations, caused the severance of their relationship after she got married against his wishes. When Hagar first son was born, he did not go to see him because Perhaps he didnt feel as though Marvin were really his grandson (62). Ironically, Hagar felt that Marvin was not really her son; however, her reasons were dissimilar to his. In Cold Blood: Summary EssayJust as she had done at the death of both her brothers and her father, Hagar remained stone-faced at the death of Bram. Perhaps she was too proud, or perhaps she had not loved him, but when Brampton Shipley passed away it was John who cried, not I (184).While at Shadow Point, Hagar falls and becomes stuck like an overturned ladybugI hurt all over, but the worst is that Im helpless. I grow enraged . .. Perhaps the anger gives me strength .. . Proud as Napoleon or Lucifer, I stand and survey the wasteland Ive conquered. My bowels knot, Thats the indignity of it (191). Even in victory, she is unable to maintain her dignity. Once, when John had too much to drink and got in a fight, Arlene Simmons drove him home from a dance, in the middle of the night. Although John was pleased that Arlene seemed to care for him Hagar was very upset and she said Yes, she did, and I can tell you I wasnt very proud of you, having her see you like that (198). After hearing that both Telford and Lottie Simmons had been at the dance and had seen John, Hagar says If you wanted to make it completely impossible for me ever to hold up my head again in this town, youve certainly succeeded (199).Lottie always took great pride in her only child, Arlene. When thinking of the time that Lottie and Hagar are discussing the relationship between Arlene and John, Hagar remembers: She preened a little, and glowed, mother of peacocks, queen-maker, Rapunzels dam. (211)Just a couple hours before Johns death, Hagar tries to explain to him how to keep his dignity, saying In a place where everyone knows everyone else you have to avoid not only evil but the appearance of evil (238).After John dies, Hagar once again does not cry. She feels she must not only bear the pain alone, but that she cannot allow herself to be comforted by others. A matron had put her arm around her and said Cry. Let yourself. Its the best thing. In response, Hagar remembers that I shoved her arm away. I straightened my spine and that was the hardest thing Ive ever had to do in my entire life, to stand straight then. I wouldnt cry in front of strangers, whatever it might cost me (242). When she got home, Hagar found that she was not able to cry. The night my son died I was transformed to stone and never wept at all (243). Mistaking Murray F. Lees for John, Hagar forgets her usual arrogance and finally speaks the words that she never got to say before John died. I reach out, almost amused at my timidity, and lightly place my fingers against his wrist If theres a time to speak, its surely now. I didnt really mean it, about not bringing her here. A person speaks in haste. Ive always had a temper . Ive spoken so calmly, so reasonably. He cant in all conscience refuse what Ive said (247). In a startlingly real moment of clarity, Hagar finally realizes her self-worth. Hard to imagine a world and I not in it. Will everything stop when I do? Stupid old baggage, who do you think you are? Hagar. Theres no one else like me in this world (250). After Murray breaks his promise not to tell Marvin and Doris where Hagar is, the elderly ladys usual haughtiness returns. He is waiting for me to pardon him. Im about to say the words I know, I know, you really couldnt help it it wasnt your fault. But these are not the words that come. Cant stop The first Ive spoken today, and my voice croaks. Born in us meddle, meddle couldnt stop to save our souls' (252). Hagar, however, soon remembers the lengthy conversation theyd had the night before and is able to forgive Mr. Lees. Impulsively, hardly knowing what Im doing, I reach out and touch his wrist. I didnt mean to speak crossly. I Im sorry about your boy. Having spoken so, I feel lightened and eased. He look surprised and shaken, yet somehow restored (253).Sick with a serious disease and ordered to stay in bed, Hagar is still the proud woman shes always been. When a nurse finds Hagar trying to get to the bathroom on her own, the nurse tries to help Hagar, who reacts by saying Oh, I hate being helpedIve always done things for myself (276).When the doctor comes around and asks Hagar how are we todayNot too bad, though, eh? she lies, saying, I guess not. She then realizes that this false pride is not going to help her in any way. Suddenly, Im furious at my pride and pretenseIt hurtsAt night, it hurts so much' (277).Hagar, spending most of her time reflecting upon her life, sums up how her pride has influenced her life by saying Pride was my wilderness, and the demon that led me there was fear. I was alone, never anything else, and never free, for I carried my chains within me, and they spread out from me and shackled all I touched. Oh, my two, my dead. Dead by your own hands or by mine? Nothing can take away those years (292). This is a key passage in understanding Hagars character at the end because this passage fully reveals how Hagar sees her life.While lying in bed, very close to death, Hagar reveals her feelings to Marvin with unprecedented honesty: Im frightened. Marvin, Im so frightened- I think its the first time in my life Ive ever said such a thing (303).Throughout her life, and unto the end, Hagar is too proud to ask for Gods help. She begins to pray, thinking Our Father no. I want no part of that. All I can think is Bless me or not, Lord, just as You please, for Ill not beg (307).Hagars fierce pride is shown for the final time when a nurse tries to help her drink some water. Hagar says Here, give it to me. Oh, for mercys sake let me hold it myself! I only defeat myself by not accepting her. I know this I know it very well. But I cant help it its my nature. Ill drink from this glass, or spill it, just as I choose. Ill not countenance anyone elses holding it for me I wrest from her the glass, full of water to be had for the taking. I hold it in my own hands. There. There. And then - (308)