Stephen Crane’s Maggie, Girl of the Streets is a Realistic novel during the time when novels were typically Romantic that demonstrates the unembellished truths of those who came to America to live out the American dream. When released, it brought a shock to the country. Maggie, Girl of the Streets is a dark yet truthful novel that illustrates the real lives of those trying to find a place in this country. One thing this novel teaches its readers is how society has the power to affect how individuals view themselves and the consequences it can lead to. With Maggie, Girl of the Streets being a deterministic tale with trapped characters in a life that is uncontrollable, it does not sound like the typical novel people would enjoy reading. Especially
…show more content…
But society perceived Maggie to be this beautiful romantic young lady who dreamed of nothing more than to have a better life than she has at the moment. She was an optimistic, beautiful young lady who seemed to be ashamed of who she was. Because of that, she acted as if her life was better than it truly was. She was stuck in a web that made her believe the only way she could be good enough was with a man; Pete. She viewed Pete almost like a knight, “Maggie marvelled at him and surrounded him with greatness” (22), and continued to question what Pete “dined on” (22). But society was able to impact her life so dramatically—finding herself in prostitution and the need of impressing all—she eventually lost from trying to change who she was. She was stuck in a world of labor, trying to constantly fix her life and work to do it differently. Maggie reached freedom the moment she passed away. Society was the main cause of driving Maggie to her death. Just from these two characters, it is visible that society has the ability to affect the individual and change their views about themselves. Although it seems as if Jimmie was not affected by society as much as his sister, his constant need for power and masculinity proves that society has him on a tight leash. That without being these things, he is nothing to the world, but a man who lives in poverty. But sometimes society has a greater impact on others for example, Maggie.
But society perceived Maggie to be this beautiful romantic young lady who dreamed of nothing more than to have a better life than she has at the moment. She was an optimistic, beautiful young lady who seemed to be ashamed of who she was. Because of that, she acted as if her life was better than it truly was. She was stuck in a web that made her believe the only way she could be good enough was with a man; Pete. She viewed Pete almost like a knight, “Maggie marvelled at him and surrounded him with greatness” (22), and continued to question what Pete “dined on” (22). But society was able to impact her life so dramatically—finding herself in prostitution and the need of impressing all—she eventually lost from trying to change who she was. She was stuck in a world of labor, trying to constantly fix her life and work to do it differently. Maggie reached freedom the moment she passed away. Society was the main cause of driving Maggie to her death. Just from these two characters, it is visible that society has the ability to affect the individual and change their views about themselves. Although it seems as if Jimmie was not affected by society as much as his sister, his constant need for power and masculinity proves that society has him on a tight leash. That without being these things, he is nothing to the world, but a man who lives in poverty. But sometimes society has a greater impact on others for example, Maggie.