From "Stone" To "Angel"

This thesis explores how Margaret Laurence expresses her thoughts of feminism in her masterpiece The Stone Angel. With the views of liberal feminism, this thesis will discuss the seeking of the independence and freedom of Hagar, the heroine in The Stone Angel, and her charge of the female discrimination as well as her hoping to make a harmonious relationship with men so that to explore the views of Laurence.The first chapter focuses on the development of Hagar's independent consciousness. This thesis argues that the independent consciousness of Hagar starts from the teaching of her father and develops from her pursuing of the rights of education and forms when she grasps the power of self-marriage. The construction of Hagar's independent consciousness plays a very important role in integrality of her characteristics and personalities.The second chapter emphasizes on Laurence's charge of restriction and pressure from the male authorities. This thesis reveals the control of son, husband and father over the females in the patriarchy, and points out that the restrictions on the aspects on physical, economic and ideological aspects are the main obstacles to the healthy development of female. Based on the former two chapters, the third chapter discusses the methods to deal with the relationship between men and women. This thesis conveys that aggressive struggle is not the key to solve the problem, claims that only the reconstruction of femininity and the mutual-respect and understanding will achieve the harmonious relationship between men and women.In conclusion, this thesis figures out that Margaret Laurence is the veriest feminist author. She cares the formation of the independent consciousness, denounces the restrictions of the male authority to women. At the same time, she also rethinks the condition of the men and women, believing that harmonious relationship between men and women are the key to deal with the female problems.