What does it mean to say that The Stone Angel is a Canadian novel? Is it granted Canadian novel status simply because Laurence herself is Canadian? I think not. One of my favourite novels, A Fine Balance, is written by Canadian Rohinton Mistry but set in India. I'm not sure that it's a Canadian novel through and through. Nor does the fact that The Stone Angel is set in Canada qualify it as a Canadian novel, in my opinion.
There are a number of characteristics of the novel, however, that I believe are completely tied into the idea of Canada as a nation and a group of people with a common history and experience. The novel portrays The Great Depression, a decade that left an indelible impression on a generation of people and is frightening enough that modern governments will do anything in their power to stave off a repetition. Vimy Ridge, where Marvin fought, is the place where some historians will argue Canada was really born.
The story of Canada has involved increasing urbanization from the beginning. During the early decades of European colonization, 90% of European descended Canadians lived on a family farm like Bram and Hagar. Since then we have moved steadily to cities seeking security and opportunity.
So, if there is an inherent "Canadianness" to The Stone Angel, it is in its themes and content rather than its circumstances (i.e. who wrote it, where it's set). There is also a question of whether the novel may reflect a Canadian sensibility, but that is a tricky argument to make in a nation where we still tend to debate whether or not there is such a thing as a distinct Canadian identity.
