This paper deals with the conflict between the generations in Margaret Laurence’s novel The Diviners. As this book is partly autobiographical, the first chapter gives a short biography of the author Margaret Laurence. Her life and experiences had a great influence on her writing and several parallels between her own life and the one of the novel’s hero Morag Gunn can be identified.
After a short summary of the plot in chapter 3, the paper deals with the different relationships between the generations in the novel.
For this paper, the main character Morag Gunn and the character Jules Tonnerre are of special interest. Therefore their relationships to their parents’ generation and their child Pique are described in detail.
This paper is completed by a short conclusion.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Short Biography of Margaret Laurence
- The Plot of The Diviners
- Morag Gunn’s Relationships within the Novel
- Morag and her parents Colin and Louisa
- Morag and Christie and Prin Logan
- Morag and Pique
- Jules Tonnerre’s Relationships within the Novel
- Jules and Lazarus Tonnerre
- Jules and Pique
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the conflict between generations in Margaret Laurence's novel *The Diviners*. Focusing on the protagonist Morag Gunn and her relationship with her family, particularly her parents, stepfather, and daughter, the paper explores how past experiences and familial bonds shape individual identities. The paper also considers the impact of these relationships on Morag's personal growth and artistic development.
- The influence of past generations on the present
- The complexities of family relationships
- The search for identity and self-discovery
- The role of the artist in society
- The experience of living in a small town on the Canadian prairies
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of generational conflict in *The Diviners* and provides a brief overview of the paper's focus.
- Short Biography of Margaret Laurence: This chapter examines the life and experiences of Margaret Laurence, highlighting the influence of her upbringing and personal life on her writing.
- The Plot of The Diviners: This chapter provides a concise summary of the novel's plot, introducing the main characters and their relationships.
- Morag Gunn’s Relationships within the Novel: This chapter explores Morag Gunn's relationships with her parents, her stepfather, and her daughter Pique, analyzing the dynamics and complexities of each connection.
- Jules Tonnerre’s Relationships within the Novel: This chapter examines Jules Tonnerre's relationships with his father Lazarus and his daughter Pique, highlighting the themes of family, identity, and reconciliation.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper explores key themes including generational conflict, family relationships, identity formation, artistic expression, and the Canadian prairies. The analysis focuses on the characters of Morag Gunn and Jules Tonnerre, and their connections to the past and present. The paper also considers the significance of the novel's setting in Manawaka, Manitoba, and the role of memory and storytelling in shaping individual and collective identities.
- Quote paper
- Meike Krause (Author), 2007, The conflict between the generations in 'The Diviners', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/76725
