Summary
"The Stone Diaries" artfully blends fictional narrative with elements of biography, presenting a life story that is both intimate and expansive. The novel explores the subtle complexities of human existence, touching themes of communication, memory, and the passage of time. Through the life of Daisy Goodwill Flett, we witness the unfolding of the 20th century in a richly textured narrative that blurs the lines between truth and fiction.
Epigraph and Genealogy
The novel begins with a significant epigraph from a poem titled "The Grandmother Cycle" by Judith Downing, printed in Converse Quarterly. Downing, a granddaughter of Daisy Goodwill Flett, uses the poem to highlight the often flawed nature of human communication. Despite these flaws, the poem asserts the enduring value of a person's life, which it calls "a monument." This sets the tone for the novel's blending of fact and fiction, as Daisy's life is depicted as a monumental narrative. The epigraph serves as a counterpoint to the stone monument erected by Cuyler Goodwill for his wife Mercy, noting that the essence of a life can be overshadowed by the physical monument meant to commemorate it.
The genealogy included in the novel outlines four generations of the Goodwill and Flett families, covering nearly the entirety of the twentieth century. Daisy, born in 1905 and passing in the 1990s, connects the present to past generations. Her life acts as a bridge across the century, paralleling its significant historical stages.
Chapter One: Birth, 1905
In 1905, Mercy Stone Goodwill dies while giving birth to Daisy. Her labor begins unexpectedly over a Malvern pudding she was preparing for her husband, Cuyler, who, unlike Mercy, is indifferent to food. Mercy's unawareness of her pregnancy underscores her naivety, leading to a tragic day when Cuyler would typically return home for dinner. As Mercy contemplates how to cool the pudding, her labor begins, and the narrative divulges details of her life with Cuyler, including her indigestion and sparse menstrual cycles.
Meanwhile, their neighbor, Clarentine Flett, feels estranged from her husband Magnus and considers inviting Mercy for tea. Her thoughts are interrupted when a peddler, Abram Skutari, alerts her to Mercy's distress, prompting Clarentine to act quickly just as Cuyler nears home. The scene shifts to Cuyler's backstory, revealing his humble beginnings and his love for Mercy that blossomed after a serendipitous meeting at an orphanage.
The narrative culminates with Mercy's death from eclampsia shortly after Daisy's birth. Present at this profound moment are Abram, Dr. Horton Spears, Clarentine, and Cuyler, underscoring the interconnectedness of their lives.
Chapter Two: Childhood, 1916
A decade later, the narrative focuses on Barker Flett, a notable biology professor, and his life intertwined with Daisy, who is believed to be his niece. Barker's life of academia contrasts with the ongoing World War I, and his support for his mother and Daisy adds layers to his character. Letters from this period offer insights into Daisy's upbringing and the construction of the Goodwill Tower, a monument to Mercy's memory.
The letters reveal Cuyler's unresolved feelings about Mercy's pregnancy, causing him sleepless nights and a sense of betrayal. Daisy’s perspective on her father's inability to love her is considered a result of his unresolved grief over Mercy. Barker Flett's suppressed feelings for Daisy and the power of memory are interwoven with the cultural backdrop of stone architecture in Winnipeg and the curiosity surrounding the Goodwill Tower.
Chapter Three: Marriage, 1927
The narrative shifts to Daisy's impending marriage to Harold A. Hoad, documented through newspaper clippings that capture the social setting of their union. Cuyler's speeches about the "white Salem stone" reflect his ornate style...
(This entire section contains 1274 words.)
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and emotional distance from Daisy, who harbors dreams of her past life in Winnipeg. Her marriage to Harold, who is revealed to be flawed, is described with a tone of inevitability, showing Daisy’s youthful optimism in changing him.
The chapter intertwines historical accounts of Magnus Flett's return to the Orkney Islands with Daisy's pre-wedding encounters, revealing family dynamics and personal histories. The tragic end of Daisy's marriage, marked by Harold's death during their honeymoon, is foreshadowed by his behavior, culminating in a darkly poetic image of his fall.
This chapter also includes photographs that purport to document the narrative but instead raise questions about the authenticity of memory and records, blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Chapter Four: Love, 1936
The chapter begins by exploring the gendered experiences of storytelling and memory, revealing how Daisy's life is overshadowed by public tales of her first husband's death. Cuyler's return from Italy with a young Italian bride alters family dynamics, prompting Daisy to seek refuge in Canada, where she reconnects with Barker Flett in Ottawa.
This reunion leads to their marriage, emphasizing Barker's realization of the unclassifiable nature of human relationships. The narrative offers diverse perspectives on their unexpected union, suggesting that despite abundant information, true understanding of individuals remains elusive.
Chapter Five: Motherhood, 1947
In Ottawa, Daisy's family life with Barker and their three children unfolds through vignettes capturing the children's unique personalities. The narrative incorporates letters and external observations that flesh out Daisy's role as a mother, blending domesticity with her growing identity as a writer.
Cuyler's attempt to construct a new monument—a miniature pyramid—reflects his ongoing struggle with memory and legacy, as the Fletts send items for a time capsule. Alongside these familial developments, Daisy's internal world is explored, revealing her grappling with isolation and "orphanhood."
Chapter Six: Work: 1955–1964
Presented through a series of letters, this chapter chronicles Daisy's professional life following Barker's death. The letters reveal her struggles and accomplishments as a gardening columnist, highlighting her identity as a writer.
Letters from her circle reflect Daisy's impact as a columnist, her evolving relationship with editor Jay Dudley, and the familial shifts as Beverly and Alice navigate their own paths. The loss of her column signifies a personal crisis, underscoring the profound connection between work and identity.
Chapter Seven: Sorrow, 1965
In 1965, Daisy falls into a deep depression, with her condition interpreted through the voices of friends and family. Each perspective offers a distinct lens on her inner turmoil, suggesting multifaceted truths about her state.
From Alice's view on self-identity to Fraidy's emphasis on sexual frustration, these theories illustrate the complexity of understanding mental health. Daisy's own reflection acknowledges the inevitable irrelevance of her sorrow, suggesting a profound yet resigned acceptance of her life's realities.
Chapter Eight: Ease, 1977
By 1977, Daisy has relocated to Florida, embracing a more relaxed lifestyle. Her life is interspersed with visits from her great-niece Victoria, whose academic pursuits in genealogy echo Daisy's contemplation of her legacy.
In a poignant trip to the Orkney Islands, Daisy encounters the monumental nature of her heritage, meeting the ancient Magnus Flett. This journey highlights the persistence of memory and the passage of time, leaving Daisy with a sense of peace amidst the vastness of her ancestry.
Chapter Nine: Illness and Decline, 1985
Struggling with health issues, Daisy navigates life from a hospital bed, her once vibrant existence now marked by physical decline. Her children grapple with guilt and distance, while local friends, "The Flowers," offer companionship.
The narrative reflects on the shrinking of Daisy's world, as her identity contracts to her given name, "Daisy Goodwill." This reduction in identity symbolizes a return to her essence, even as her possessions and physicality diminish.
Chapter Ten: Death
The final chapter assembles various remembrances of Daisy's life, from obituaries to personal reflections at her funeral. These fragmented accounts echo the novel's theme of incomplete narratives and the indelible marks individuals leave behind.
Through these varied depictions, the novel encapsulates the essence of Daisy Goodwill Flett's life, illustrating the interplay of memory, identity, and the stories we tell about ourselves and others.
