Thoreau V.S.

Crane Essay
Isabella Hunt
CAP Honors English 9
Green Group
11/23/15

Henry David Thoreaus, Walden, and Stephan Cranes, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, were written
in an era of social and political change. New ideas were emerging constantly Walden was a social
experiment of sorts in which Thoreau wrote about his time at Walden Pond and the philosophical ideas he
established while there. Stephen Crane, a realist, writes from the perspective of impoverished tenement
girl raised in New York in Maggie. Thoreau, in Walden, and Stephan Crane, in Maggie, have similar
views on philanthropy and materialism; however, they share differing opinions on the concept of fate.
Thoreau and Crane share similar thoughts on philanthropy. Both authors have come to the
realization that true philanthropy does not exist. Instead they think that philanthropists are attention
seekers with selfish motives. Thoreau explains that people act from self-interest and will often engage in
acts of philanthropy in an effort to make them feel better about themselves. Thoreau believes that people
credit their alleged act of selflessness, philanthropy, as a virtue when in fact they are really acting in
their own self-interest. Philanthropy as an ideal is a wonderful concept but it cannot work in practice
because [p]hilanthropy is almost the only virtue which is sufficiently appreciated by mankind. Nay, it is
greatly overrated; and it is our selfishness which overrates it (Thoreau 63). Thoreau thinks that [t]he
philanthropist too often surrounds mankind with the remembrance of his own cast-off grief as an
atmosphere, and calls it sympathy (Thoreau 63). So called philanthropists are helping themselves under
the guise of helping others.
Crane similarly documents the hardships of the hardships of the poor, and illustrates the wealthy
persons attempt to alleviate their own guilt by engaging in acts of philanthropy without meaningfully
changing a less fortunate persons life. This is demonstrated when Maggie discusses with Pete the trials
and tribulations of her former family life and her past attempts to obtain meager levels of comfort. Crane
writes that Pete responded in tones of philanthropy. He pressed her arm with an air of reassuring
propriety (Crane 55). Here Pete in effect unconsciously belittles Maggie. While Pete is offering nice
tones and sentiments he is treating her as property rather than a person. Pete fails to offer her any
meaningful thoughts or advice on how to change her current life, and this is coupled with an air of

superiority. Crane illustrates the wealthy mans sense of superiority and preeminent need for
respectability over the needs of the poor in a passage where, [s]uddenly she came upon a gentleman
The girl had heard of the Grace of God and she decided to approach this man. His beaming chubby face
was a picture of benevolence and kind-heartedness. His eyes shone good-will. But as the girl timidly
accosted him, he gave a convulsive side-step. He did not risk it to save a soul (Crane 86-87). Supposed
philanthropists will blatantly ignore the opportunity to offer valuable help if it does not benefit them as
is demonstrated in the book by, [a] stout gentleman, with pompous and philanthropic whiskers, went
stolidly by, the broad of his back sneering at the girl (Crane 88). Crane is speculating that perhaps good
people dont have god morals. The morally correct act would be to offer help to those less fortunate than
oneself, but the man Crane describes above is concerned with how society views him rather than helping
people in need. Both Thoreau and Crane believe philanthropy is overvalued and it is shown in their
writing.
Thoreau and Crane also share complimentary opinions on materialism. Thoreau contends that
material goods are an unnecessary evil that have the effect of distracting people from higher knowledge or
understanding. Thoreau writes that if one lives simply and wisely by only doing what is necessary to
maintain ones self on this earth then they will live a fuller more meaningful life (Thoreau 59).
According to Thoreau, it is not by the accumulation of material possessions that one obtains selffulfillment. Instead he believes that the existence if material goods distances people from nature and
higher thought. Crane similarly draws attention to the plight of Maggie who, from humble means, seeks
material goods to elevate her own sense of self-worth. It is clear that no amount of material goods will
ever result in her obtainment of a meaningful sense of happiness.
Thoreaus philosophy on life is to simplify, simplify (Thoreau 17). He believes that anything
more than what is absolutely necessary to survive is of trivial importance. Thoreau writes, [m]any of the
luxuries, and many of the so called comforts of life, are not only dispensable, but positive hindrances to
the elevation of mankind. With respect to luxuries and comforts, the wisest have ever lived a more simple

and meagre life than the poor (Thoreau 16). Thoreau practices this idea of minimalism religiously. This
is shown in various ways but the most apparent example is when Thoreau spends just $28.13 on his cabin
at Walden Pond (roughly $2,800 today).Thoreau prides himself on his self-reliance and lives off the land
at Walden Pond, and imparts to his reader that material goods will not give rise to a meaningful life.
Thoreau goes on to criticize the wealthy person who has the need to accumulate collections or knick
knacks. These seemingly trivial acts of self-reliance magnify Thoreaus stance on materialism, more
specifically his aversion towards it.
Cranes novel, Maggie, is written during a time where industrialization is rampant and a great
value is placed on amassing material goods. Maggies desire for material possessions is demonstrated in a
passage where, [s]he began to have intense dislike for all of her dresses She envied elegance and soft
palms (Crane 61). It is clear that Crane intends to draw the readers attention to this frivolous thought
that will probably not result in her self-betterment or progress. Crane also shows Maggies longing for an
aesthetically pleasing home before Pete visits. Maggie is worried that the slightest imperfection might
scare him off. As a result, she does everything in her power to please him. She makes a poor economic
decision and even spends her previous weeks pay in the purchase of flowered cretonne for a
lambrequin. She made it with infinite care... She studied it with painful anxiety from different points in
the room (Crane 53-54). When one grows up with so little, material goods may hold a deeper importance
to them. Maggie grows up with little to nothing. The lambrequin isnt just an item to her; rather its a
metaphor for a better life, one she could have with Pete if all goes as planned. It is evident through their
writing that both Thoreau and Crane perceive material acquisition as a shallow way for people to feel
better about their lives.
Although Thoreau and Crane share similar views on philanthropy and materialism their opinions
on fate stand in stark contrast. Thoreaus beliefs regarding fate are compatible with soft determinism or
free will; this means ones own actions determine the outcome of his/her life. Crane writes Maggie from
the perspective of a hard determinist; ones actions cannot alter the outcome of his/her life, for it has

already been predetermined by fate. Thoreau writes, in the long run, men only hit what they aim at
(Thoreau 24), which exemplifies his belief that the outcome of a persons life is directly correlated with
ones efforts. Thoreau points out that many laborers try to get by on a daily basis rather than do thigs to
improve their future. These workers are just trying to survive the present; they think little of themselves or
their potential future. Thoreau proposes that the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation (Thoreau 9)
because they are unwilling to put forth the effort to change their fate.
Thoreau as economically well off and able to choose what he wanted out if life; however Maggie,
someone whom Thoreau might have seen as a common laborer, does not have the luxury of selfdeterminism. Given Maggies economic status she is not afforded the opportunity to choose a career
based on her interests. Instead she seeks a romantic co-dependent relationship with Pete. Instead of
bringing her happiness the relationships veers her more towards a dark path, [f]rom her eyes had been
plucked all look of self-reliance (Crane 73). Maggie and Pete are never destined to last therefore when
the relationship ends she is isolated from her family and forced to be economically self-reliant. This all
depicts Cranes belief that life is fated- Maggie had a destiny she could not escape.
In light of Maggies upbringing at class status she is fated to be poor, yet fate intervened and
provided a twist; [t]he girl, Maggie, blossomed in a mud puddle. She grew to be a most rare and
wonderful production of a tenement district, a pretty girl (Crane 49). Maggie needs a way to support
herself and her looks provide a means to an end. She doesnt want to be a factory worker do she makes a
choice, a self-deprecating decision, to sell her soul by becoming a prostitute. This decision makes her feel
as though she has control over where her life is headed even if its in a bad direction. Maggies destiny
was predetermined by her economic status, but she is able to choose the path that takes her there. Crane
shows the reader that, due to Maggies need to survive, she ultimately lacks control over her destiny.
Regardless of her choice in profession- laborer or prostitute- she cannot alter her outcome. By way of
example, if she chooses life as a prostitute she may not be a laborer but she sacrifices her self-worth for

meager wages. Neither path will lead to economic independence or prosperity, thus her life
predetermined.
Despite that Thoreau and Crane share similar views on philanthropy and materialism they
disagree regarding fate. Thoreau and Crane both believe that true philanthropy is never practiced and that
the desire for material possessions can impact ones life negatively. Thoreau, however, thinks that ones
fate can be changed through determination while Crane illustrates through his writing that ones path is
already chosen for him/her. These concepts are examples of both the similarities and differences in Henry
David Thoreaus Walden and Stephen Cranes Maggie: A Girl of the Streets.

Works Cited

Crane, Stephen. Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. Boston: Bedford/St.Martins, 1999. Print. Vol. 1
of Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. 2 vols.

Thoreau, Henry David. Walden and Civil Disobedience. New York: Barnes and Nobel,2003.
Print. Vol 1. of Walden and Civil Disobedience.2 vols.