ogressively, she learns to be grateful as a mother, wife, and woman, and learns to deal with her fears, desires, and marital problems. Laurence's talented writing uncovers Stacey's exceptional traits as a loving, courageous, and strong woman. As Laurence reveals the heroic stories of each individual character, readers begin appreciating and identifying with their admirable traits.
             In A Jest of God, the hidden characteristics of the once timid Rachel are eventually exposed through her relationship with an old schoolmate, Nick Kazlik. Rachel is described as the confident, yet quiet character, miserably trapped in a fabricated existence. She loses her love of teaching, struggles with her mother's old age, and falls out of touch with her "true" self. With time, readers realize that Rachel subconsciously lives two separate lives. She portrays herself as being strong, hardworking, and loving, but secretly shares her genuine feelings with readers. Laurence demonstrates this by introducing Rachel's intima
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