Abstract
The Stone Angel, the first novel of the Manawaka Cycle, is generally regarded as Laurence’s representative work. This novel narrates the story of Hagar Shipley, who struggles to search for her self-identity and freedom all through her life. Hagar’s life reflects Canadian ideology and ideological trends during that specific period. Hagar’s pride leads to her rebellious life. She seems like the sightless stone angel in the Manawaka cemetery. She cannot realize her pride and prejudice. She cannot understand people around her. People cannot understand her either. Hagar doesn’t achieve her self-identity and spiritual freedom until the very end of her life. This thesis intends to analyze the characterization of Hagar and her inner journey towards self-identity and freedom, and further to evaluate Laurence’s contribution to Canadian Literature.
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