Rachel's Children: Margaret Laurence's A Jest of God

R.G. Moyles is a professor of English at the University of Alberta.

Stovel’s explication of Laurence’s 1966 novel—perhaps the
public’s favorite—is based on the firm and justifiable premise that
the author’s central purpose is to “explore human psychology and
examine female sexuality”: “Margaret Laurence was a sexual pioneer
in A Jest of God because she explores female sexuality and challenges
the old double standard. By depicting a woman’s sexual awakening and
examining the forbidden issues of contraception, abortion, and single
parenthood, Laurence makes feminist history.”

In support of this argument, Stovel convincingly and eloquently shows
how Laurence “explores the human psyche” through her portrayal of
Manawaka as “A Town of the Mind”; how she uses interior monologue to
re-create the “deep theatre” of the mind; and how she employs a
polyphonic narrative (the many voices of Rachel Cameron) to “record
the complex cultural voice of Canada.” In addition, Stovel explores
Laurence’s “genius for creating characters”; the main themes of
death, religion, communication, love, and identity; and, finally,
Laurence’s artistry via a discussion of her allusions (biblical and
literary), imagery, and narrative voice.

Given the constraints imposed by a standardized format, this is an
extremely perceptive, cogently argued, and lucidly written study—one
that leaves teachers of the novel little else to say about it (which may
or may not be good news). My only (small) complaint is that Stovel’s
promise to explore the “polyphonic narrative voice” as representing
the “complex cultural voice of Canada” was not satisfactorily
fulfilled.