Time as the fifth element in Margaret Laurence's Manawaka cycle

Abstract

Margaret Laurence's Manawaka cycle has several unifying features, one of them is the four elements theory. This pattern may not be deliberate, however, it is very well developed through all four novels: The Stone Angel represents earth, A Jest of God air, The Fire-Dwellers fire, and The Diviners represents water. Additionally,The Diviners reconciles all four elements. The main metaphor of water running both ways in this novel also offers a new interpretation of the occurrence of the water element in the other three novels as a metaphor for the progress of time and maturing.