Why did Hagar become such a bitter old lady? In the novel, The Stone Angel, by Margaret Laurence, the main character, Hagar, becomes a very bitter person due to the circumstances that she encounters. In the following paragraphs it will be proven that Hagar the hag became such a bitter old lady because of her family, the death that plagued her life and her economic stature. Through her relationships and hardships, Hagar's life is changed forever.
             Hagar had a tough time with her family when she was growing up, from her father that wouldn't let her run her own life to her drunk of a husband. First off, Hagar's father Jason Curie treated her like a possession and a little kid at the same time: "Anyways, no daughter of mine is going out there alone. You'll not teach, miss."(44) In a way you can see that he loves her in his own manner, but his way of showing it is very old fashioned; he treats like a possession and not a person. There were times when he showed that he loves her: Hagar "I was clever in school and father was pleased. Sometimes when I got a star for my work, he'd give me a paper of button candies or a handful of those lozenges that bore sugary messages - Be mine, you beauty..." (13). Overall, Hagar's father help's her to become a bitter old hag. Hagar's Husband Bram Shipley was the first thing that Hagar ever stood up to her father for. Hagar's father disapproved of Hagar and Bram's plan to get married but Hagar was in love and didn't care. Jason Cure "'has he touched you?' I was to startled to reply. 'Has he?' Father demanded 'has he?' 'You will marry no one.'" (48). Hagar went against her father wishes, which made him angry, and at the wedding Hagar's father and brother didn't show up to the wedding. Auntie Doll came alone.
             In The Stone Angel Hagar's life was filled with death. Death played a key roll in the novel, from the very first page, to the end of the book people are always
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