STONE ANGEL Flashcards
Comment on Laurence’s protagonist, Hagar Shipley. What kind of person is she? Give examples from the story.
She is an elderly woman who is nearing the end of her life and is reflecting on her past experiences and the choices she made. From the novel, it can be inferred that Hagar is a proud and stubborn person who is deeply attached to her sense of self and her independence. She is unwilling to compromise her beliefs or to conform to the expectations of others, and she often resists the attempts of those around her to control or influence her.
One example of Hagar’s stubbornness is her refusal to admit that she is blind and in need of help. Despite the fact that she is unable to see and is constantly bumping into objects and tripping over, she insists on trying to do things for herself and refuses to accept assistance from others. This stubbornness is also evident in her relationship with her son, Marvin, who tries to persuade her to move into a nursing home. Hagar resists his attempts and insists on living in her own home, even though it is clear that she is unable to take care of herself.
Another example of Hagar’s stubbornness is her refusal to forgive her husband, Bram, for the mistakes he made in their marriage. Despite the fact that Bram is long dead and that she is now living with his son, Hagar remains angry and resentful towards him and is unwilling to let go of her bitterness. This stubbornness is also evident in her refusal to apologize or to take responsibility for the harm she has caused to those around her.
Comment on the episode in which Hagar and her son John find the stone angel toppled over in the Manawaka cemetery, and stand it back up. Is this an act of compliance, or defiance?
it could be argued that their actions are an act of defiance. The stone angel is a symbol of the Shipley family and their pride and status in the community, and its toppling over could be seen as a sign of their decline and loss of power. By standing the angel back up, Hagar and John are defying the forces that have brought the angel down and are asserting their own strength and determination.
Hagar’s decision to stand the angel back up is also an act of defiance against her son, Marvin, who had earlier suggested that the angel should be left where it is and allowed to crumble. By ignoring Marvin’s advice and standing the angel back up, Hagar is demonstrating her refusal to be controlled by him or to conform to his expectations.
In Scene 1 of King Lear, Cordelia refuses to comply. Was she right to do so? Why/why not?
Whether Cordelia was right to refuse to comply with her father’s request is a matter of debate. On one hand, her refusal could be seen as an act of disobedience and disrespect, as she is refusing to do as her father asks and is speaking to him in a manner that is not fitting for a daughter. On the other hand, Cordelia’s refusal could also be seen as a moral and ethical decision, as she is choosing to speak the truth and to act with integrity. By refusing to flatter and deceive her father, she is showing that she values honesty and authenticity above the desire to please him. Overall whether Cordelia was right to refuse to comply with her father’s request depends on one’s perspective and values. Some may see her refusal as a rebellious and disrespectful act, while others may see it as a courageous and moral decision
