Murray F. Lees Character Analysis in The Stone Angel

When Hagar runs away to Shadow Point and takes refuge in an abandoned cannery, one evening she becomes afraid that an intruder, tramp, or vagrant has come to rob her—however, it is a scrawny and ruddy man, Murray F. Lees, who was wandering through the park when he heard Hagar’s pained groans. Murray sits with Hagar a while, shares his wine with her, and the two trade stories about their painful lives, which share in common the loss of a son. Though Hagar begs Murray not to tell anyone where she is, lest Marvin find her and bring her home, Murray sees how ill Hagar is, finds a way to contact her family, and leads them to her, ensuring her safe return home.

Murray F. Lees Character Timeline in The Stone Angel

The timeline below shows where the character Murray F. Lees appears in The Stone Angel. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...he doesn’t know her and hasn’t been sent to fetch her. He introduces himself as Murray F. Lees, and says he’s nothing but a life insurance salesman out on a walk.... (full context)

Murray shares his cigarettes and wine with Hagar, and she is grateful to have something to... (full context)

Murray also tells Hagar about his wife and son, and their participation in increasingly strange religious... (full context)

Murray and Hagar commiserate over the fact that they have both lost children, and then after... (full context)

Hagar snaps back to reality, realizing that she is, at last, crying. Murray comments upon how sad her story is, and Hagar is shocked to realize she’s been... (full context)

...much to drink. Hagar believes that the person beside her is John, though it’s still Murray sitting with her. Murray, concerned, says that Hagar needs a doctor, but she insists she’s... (full context)

...by a shoddy tweed coat, and as she opens her eyes, she looks around for Murray, but finds that he is gone. Hagar feels “bereaved,” though she can’t remember enough of... (full context)

...who is clearly suffering from exposure. Marvin asks Hagar if she can understand him, but Murray interjects to tell him that Hagar is confused. As the three of them discuss what... (full context)

Murray offers to help Doris and Marvin take Hagar out of the cannery, but they tell... (full context)