Stubborn Pride in The Stone Angel :: essays research papers

In the novel there is mention of the war grouse of the Curries, Gainsay who dare (15). Such a translation may be Oppose me (us) if you dare to. on that point is a very predominant theme of strong-willed pride in The Stone Angel, which makes the novel sententious to its readers. Pride refers to a strong sense of self-respect, a refusal to be humiliated as well as joy in the accomplishments of oneself or a person, group, or object that one identifies with. Proud comes from late Old English prud, probably from Old French puritan brave, valiant. There are destructive and constructive effects of stubborn pride in that pride is a double-edged sword and separates inclination and response.There is a certain amount of pride that goes along with social status. Jason Currie was a self-made man who had pulled himself up by his bootstraps (7). Hagar was very proud of her fathers success, on account statement of he had begun without money (14). Hagar stated, 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 (9). Hagar recounts the Stone Angel as being my mothers angel that my father bought in pride to mark her cram and proclaim his dynasty (3). Hagars father was an extremely proud man, a trait that was inevitably passed on to his daughter, and he took great pride in this terribly expensive statue, which had been brought from Italy and was dainty white marble (3). Hagar calls to mind displaying her pride as young as age 6 when she says, There was I, strutting the board sidewalk like a runty peacock, resplendent, haughty, hoity-toity, Jason Curries black-haired daughter (6). The Curries thought very much of themselves, this is shown when Hagar speaks of her father, saying, Matt and Dan and I always knew he could never have brought himself to marry his housekeeper (17). All too much though, pride can be the defining trait that leads to the tragic heros tragic downfall.Excessi ve pride also materializes itself as arrogance. It interferes with the individuals acceptance of the grace of God, or the outlay which God sees in others. As Mr. Troy asks Hagar, Dont you believe, in Gods infinite Mercy? (120), she replys Whats so merciful some Him, Id like to know? (120). Hagar had developed such pride in herself that she had even let go of God, or the fact that she needed God.