Wallace Stegner's novel Angle of Repose emerges as a profound tapestry of historical realism, intricately weaving the lives of its characters against the expansive backdrop of the American West. Drawing from the life of the real-life writer Mary Hallock Foote, Stegner crafts a narrative both rooted in historical fact and embellished through creative fiction. This novel explores the intertwined lives of its characters, offering a study in contrasts between the cultural and geographic landscapes of the East and West.

Stegner's Historical Realism

In the late 1940s, Wallace Stegner arranged for Stanford University's library to acquire the papers of Mary Hallock Foote, an American writer and illustrator whose life bore remarkable parallels to the character of Susan Burling Ward in Stegner's novel. Like Susan, Foote married a mining engineer and lived through an era of transformation and exploration from 1847 to 1938. Using Foote's papers as a foundation, Stegner crafted Angle of Repose, which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize. Although the novel is deeply rooted in historical detail, it remains a work of fiction, where Stegner exercises creative liberties to enhance his storytelling.

Recognized as a preeminent writer of the American West, Stegner often draws comparisons to William Faulkner. While both authors use their respective locales to express universal truths, Stegner's geographic range extends beyond Faulkner's Southern confines. In Angle of Repose, Stegner's narrative encompasses diverse settings, including various parts of California, Colorado, Idaho, and Mexico, capturing the unsettled nature of the West.

East Meets West: A Study in Contrasts

Central to the novel is the contrast between East and West, a theme explored through the character of Susan Burling. A significant distinction highlighted by Stegner is the scale of the landscapes. In a memorable scene, Susan, on an outing along the Hudson River with her husband Oliver, peers over a precipice to admire a waterfall. Stegner juxtaposes this with naturalist John Muir's experience at Yosemite Falls in California, where the scale and grandeur far surpass Susan's view. This comparison emphasizes the vastness and intimidating nature of the Western landscape, which influences Susan's internal retreat into her world of words and drawings.

Stegner further underscores the differences through the sense of community and tradition—or lack thereof—in the West. Whereas the East is steeped in history and permanence, the West is depicted as a place of constant movement and impermanence. This transient nature is mirrored in Susan's experiences and the complexities of her marriage to Oliver.

Character Dynamics and the "Angle of Repose"

In the narrative, Susan emerges as the more distinguished figure compared to her husband, Oliver. She is imaginative and talented, while Oliver possesses a grounded practicality well-suited to the Western environment. Initially, their differences draw them together, but over time, these same differences create a rift, leading them into their own separate worlds. Stegner utilizes the geological term "angle of repose" to metaphorically describe the equilibrium—or lack thereof—in their relationship. Despite finding a semblance of stability, this "angle of repose" remains an uneasy accommodation.

A Narrative Rich in Themes

Stegner's sprawling narrative unfolds over a century, from 1860 to 1970, delving into themes of human interaction and the enduring impact of emotional wounds. One poignant storyline involves Oliver and Susan's loss of their daughter, an event that leaves a lasting scar on their family. Stegner illustrates how individuals cope with such tragedies through the character of Lyman's father, who channels his grief into cultivating a hybrid rose named "The Agnes Ward." This demonstrates that while people may avoid speaking of their traumas, the memories linger unresolved.

The novel's thematic exploration is further exemplified in its...