The Fire Dwellers, by Margaret Laurence and Afterimage, by Helen Humphries are both written by Canadian female authors. Both novels portray the parallel lives of two separate females, each woman approaching a different stage in their life. Both women undergo similar experiences in the social, sexual and characteristic aspects in life, creating a deeper understanding of their self-awareness. The main character in each novel is developed slowly until the individual and unique perspective of the character has bloomed to its full potential of magnitude in life. Stacey MacAindra of The Fire Dwellers is in her late thirties while Annie Phlean of Afterimage is entering her twenties. Each character goes through life in a reflective manner only to secure their aptitude of life in a journey of learning.
             Each character gains a new sense of reliability on people due to the opportunities to expand their once limited social life. Stacey MacAindra is a housewife with four children, which makes her life consist of an energetic schedule influenced by the demands of her children. Stacey's neighbour Tess helped her out a lot by offering to watch the children, "Why don't you go this afternoon, then? I'll take Jen...It's nothing. I like having her." (The Fire Dwellers). Annie was a servant to Isabelle, and daily duties were laid out for Annie to complete. The continuous instructions were interrupted frequently because Isabelle requested help with her photograph, by using Annie to model. Both characters never had the opportunity to relax with their busy schedules but in actuality, the both were respected enough that others around them would do their extra responsibilities for them.
             Not only had their lives been concentrated around other people's satisfaction, but also they were never given the opportunity to attend social gatherings. In The Fire Dwellers, Stacey was able to attend cocktail parties with...