Mapping Identity and Memory:
Female Self-Discovery in Margaret Laurence’s The Diviners
Priyanka,
Prof. (Dr.) Anjaneya Pandey
ABSTRACT
This paper explores the intertwined themes of
identity, memory, and female self-discovery in Margaret Laurence’s
The Diviners, the culminating novel in her Manawaka cycle. Centred
on the protagonist, Morag Gunn, the narrative traces her journey
toward self-realization through a fragmented interplay of past and
present, memory and storytelling reconstruction. Drawing on feminist
literary theory and autobiographical criticism, this study examines
how Laurence portrays Morag’s evolving identity as a woman, writer,
and mother against the backdrop of Canadian cultural and historical
contexts. The paper argues that memory in The Diviners functions not
merely as a recollection of the past but as an active, shaping force
in constructing identity. Furthermore, the novel’s nonlinear
structure and meta-fictional elements reflect Morag’s internal
struggle to reconcile the personal with the collective and the
private self with the demands of societal roles. Through this
analysis, the paper positions The Diviners as a seminal work in
Canadian literature that offers a powerful narrative of female
agency, resilience, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Keywords: Manawaka; Self-discovery; Female identity; Memory;
Cultural; Feminist; Protagonist; Self-expression
