What are the main symbols in The Stone Angel that represent Hagar's life?

The Stone Angel contains rich symbolism, which enable its audience to gain insight about the main character, Hagar Shipley.

The symbol of the bird – at one point Hagar injures a sea gull and it lies on the ground beating its wings helplessly. This is symbolic of Hagar’s own lack of freedom. Her reality is that of old age, which renders her unable to do the things she has always done for herself (a very frustrating experience).

The stone angel itself represents Hagar herself. She is very much like a statue: cold, unfeeling, and hard. When Hagar’s son, John, dies (the child she favours), she metaphorically turns to stone and cannot weep for her loss. The fact that the statue does not have eyes also symbolises Hagar’s lack of insight into herself. She is blind when it comes to others and can only see the world through her own self-centered eyes.

I hope that this helps.

What are the spiritual and material aspects of Hagar's life in The Stone Angel?

Unfortunately, Hagar doesn’t have much of a spiritual life. She is a head-strong and stubborn woman who believes that she can do everything on her own. Consequently, this has led to the deterioration and alienation of her husband Bram. As for material things, one of the main themes in this novel is that of ageing. Because Hagar is so accustomed to doing things on her own, and not relying or wanting anyone’s help, she is having great difficulty with the fact that she now needs others. Hagar has become quite dependant on Marvin and Doris (her daughter-in-law and son) because she is now very limited in what she can do. Doris and Marvin have had to sell her home and her things with it, which disturbs Hagar. She has lost control of her own life as well as of her possessions.