An Examination of Inner and Outer Life of Women in Carol Shields’ Stone Diaries

Abstract

TSearch for identityhe role of women in society has always been controversial. Society has crammed women to its margins where their existence has become disputed. They constantly struggle against the male chauvinism and the expectations that are inflicted upon them.The novel, The Stone Diaries, emphasizes on the fact that life is being suspended between realism and idealism.Carol Shields explores the mysteries of life, unveiling the delicate layers of human consciousness.Women have begun to understand their role among the snarl culture. She depicts how women, out of all crises, try to accept and endure the life prearranged for themThe noveldepicts the search for identity, an examination of interior and exterior life, existence, familial relationships, reflection of common menand women, love, childhood, motherhood, parenthood, and nature. The character, Daisy is the reflective of many women of North America during the twentieth century. Women’s persistence changes from time to time as they are forced into certain extremity that renders them no alternative. They mould their structure of life in accordance to their convictions that roughly makes them distinctive. Shields highlights on the fact that the crisis faced by women extends and covers their entire life leaving them to get lost from the view of survival. Women’s identity is their recognition;their existence identifies their traits and the significance in the world. Their conflict between the interior and exterior life brings in the duality of their nature.