Thoreau and Crane: The Pursuit of Happiness

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December 2nd 2012

Stephen Cranes book Maggie: A Girl of the Streets chronicles the life of a girl living in a tenement in New York. She tries to attain a high social life, and instead gets trapped in a life of prostitiution on her quest for a high class life. Thoreaus Walden details his stay at a pond and his experiments in a life of simplicity and self-reliance. Both exemplify the opinions of the authors on achieveing happiness in life through their perspectives on materialism, Thoreau believes it it be a hinderance while Crane views it as a way of elevation in society, philanthropy- which both view as overrated- and self-reliance, which is viewed by both as key. Stephen Cranes more pessimistic view and Thoreaus more optomistic views on several thematic structures are exemplified by their books, Maggie and Walden, and ultimately give their opinions on achieving happiness in life. While Crane believes that items of luxury elevate people in society, Walden believes that do actually the opposite: they stop people from attaining mental elevation. Cranes Maggie yearns for a lifestyle of sophistication and luxury, and to be like the well-dressed women she envied the elegance ... craved the adornments ... conceiveing them to be allies of vast importance (Maggie, 59.) This shows that Maggie does not actually want the adornments, rather the connotational aura of elegance, the promise of the well-dressed sophistication, and ultimately the happiness that accompanies such baubles. This also shows how Crane believes that luxury items and adornments are an alliance, or a way to assist one in achieving social improvement. The want for a sophisticated and the belief that it accompanies fine things is further shown by Maggies futile search for status; She made [the lambrequin] with infinite care and hung it to the slightly careening mantel (Maggie, 54.) This shows how Maggie is searching for a finer life; the lambrequin represents the frivolities of high status and her infinite lust for such, while she is trapped in a more impoverished situation represented by the careeningmantle. The delipidated view of the surroundings demonstrates how the setting is obviously not luxurious. The contrast of the broken mantle and the attempted lambrequin create imagery to exemplify the desperocity of the chase for a fine life, and Cranes view that elevation to such is impossible. Maggie constantly yearns for sophistication, such as the upper class ladies she sees in the streets, yet she is unable to progress herself from her tenement life. She believes that having high social standing will bring her

happiness, and that material items are her key to having high status, and consequently happiness. She blames her inability to progress herself on her poverty, and tries to wealth and its material representations, like trying to find new dresses to impress Pete. Thoreau disagrees with this, believeing that Most of t he luxuries are but positive hinderances to the elevation of mankind, (Walden, 16.) Thoreau also believes that such adornments, seen as useful to Crane, are actually manipulating the owner, as he believes that Men have become the tools of their tools (Walden, 33.) Thoreau warns against situations such as this, believeing that men should be wary of the responsibilities they undertake, such as possessing wealth; And when the farmer has got his house, he may not be the richer but the poorer for it, and it be the house that got him (Walden, 30.) This is Thoreaus warning that when men pursue physical manifestations of wealth it will eventually result in them spending more maintaining their wealth than it is worth, as the farmer pays more when he pays of debt, and pays to upkeep the farm than he originally payed. This demonstrates how Thoreau believes that possessions work against those who possess them, while Crane believes that materialism is how many people try to achieve social elevation. Crane and Thoreau both believe that philanthropy is an overrated idea, and that true philanthropy is shown by those who do not ask for great recognition, and not those who call themselves philanthropists. On the subject of philanthropy, Thoreau says that Nay, it is greatly overrated; and it is our selfishness that overrates it (Walden, 63.) Thoreau believes that philanthropy has been idealized by society and it is the fault of peoples own selfish tendencies that those who give are seen as so generous. As many people are so slow to part with their wealth, we view those who do with ease to be exaggeratedly kind. Crane also explains his position through the characterization of a man listening to a philanthropic preacher; [the man] clad his soul in armour by means of happening hilariously in at a mission church where a man composed his sermons of yous (Maggie, 46.) Crane is refering to how the many prove their worth by for example attending church, though really they are not invested in their devotion, they happen to coincidentially be there. Crane also pulls attention to the preachers lack of investment in the sermon, he feels the need to preach to others to help them, but he doesn't follow his advice himself, addressing other people and their need for dedication, while neglecting his own. Crane

finds this situation hilarious, as those who are undeserving of recognition for their generosity are those who receive the most. Crane uses another example of this by having the one woman who truly attempts to assist Maggie when she is in need not receive recognition for her acts of kindness while those who turned her out are the ones who fully acknowledge the greater need for kindness. The women who turned her out were considered moral and kind creatures, With untiring zeal the hissed vice and applauded virtue (Maggie, 61,) though in the end they are not the ones who are the most kind, it is the elderly woman who asks no thanks who is truly philanthropic. Thoreau believes that there is not stench that is that as gross as the scent of philanthropy tainted, (Walden, 62.) This shows that he believes those who deliberatly call attention to their well-doing for the sake of attention and personal gain are giving a bad reputation to those who are truly kind; I would not subtract anything from the praise that is due to philanthropy, but merely demand justice for all who by their lives and works are a blessing to mankind, (Walden, 63.) However, it is those who claim recognition that are recognized as Philanthropists as t hey are the one who call attention to their kind actions. Those who truly embody philanthropy are the ones who are kind for the sake of kindness, not for recognition, but people do not commonly recognize their true kindness as attention is not called to it. Crane and Thoreau both have the same view on philanthropists as they both believe them to be overrated, and believe it is those who do not boast of their philanthropic tendenciesare the people who embody the spirit of philanthropy the most. Crane believes that self-reliance is what everyone strives for to achieve happiness, but it is extremely difficult to rely entirely on oneself. Maggie tries to achieve self-reliant by having her own job and not relying on her family, but she still relies on customers for business. By not having achieved selfreliance, she eventually dies while searching for a customer to help her. Crane demonstrates the importance of relying on oneself as it is difficult to find people who one can rely on. Even supposedly helpful forces, such as the police, have also been shown to be unreliable, as The police were always actuated by malignant impulses, (Maggie, 47.) The inclusion of this description shows how Crane wants the reader to see that if even the typically benevolent people in the world are malvolent; it is extremely difficult to trust anyone. If no one can be trusted, the one way to not be hurt is to rely on oneself. As the

world seems to be trying to take advantage of him, the one true way to ensure his happiness and safety is through self-reliance. In Maggie, a preacher mentions that Joy always within ... and [Maggie] inveitably without, (Maggie, 61,) this demonstrates how joy should be found by self-reliance, but for Maggie it is impossible to achieve self reliance, and consequently happiness, as she relies on other people for business and she needs more money to support herself. It is extremely difficult to rely entirely on oneself, people typically rely on others for aspects of daily life, such as to provide food, or customers. Maggie was born into earth that was composed of hardships and insults, (Maggie, 51) which she could not elevate herself from. She relies on other people for her livelihood, and she consequently cannot achieve happiness. Cranes view is that the successful pursuit of happiness is impossible unless one has achieved self reliance, but this is near impossible. Thoreau believes that achieveing self-reliance is key to pursuing happiness. In lieu of relying on material items for happiness, Thoreau believes that mankind should aim to Fix [his] heart on that which is transitory it affords nothing to give away and [be] free, (Walden, 65.) If man can instead set their heart on what they know will change and do not rely on what what is material, he will achieve happiness. He also references that man should give away and [be] free. This is a reference to his other belief that materials are not necessary for happiness and that if man can rely on himself enough to give away possessions, then he will have achieved freedom. Thoreau believes that the young, should pursue their own happiness unhindered, and be free to make their own mistakes and live their own lives and learn from them; The Youth may build of plant or sail only let him not be hindered from doing that which he tells me he would like to do (Walden, 58.) People should rely on themselves to find what makes them happy, without others interfering with their pursuit of happiness. A person is responsible for their own happiness, and if he wishes to achieve happiness, he must rely on himself. He encourages others to also pursue their own dreams and lives, and not merely give into what comes easily; I would have each one be careful to pursue his own way (Walden, 58.) This refers to how each person should pursue their own dreams to be happy, not someone elses. Through relying on oneself, Thoreau believes that it is possible to pursue and achieve happiness.

Thoreau and Crane both state opinions on succesfully pursuing happiness through materialism, philanthropy, and self-reliance. Crane believes that people rely on material objects for happiness, and they crave the connotations of status that accompany them. Self-reliance is key to happiness, though it is extremely difficult to rely entirely on oneself in a world where it is difficult to trust people, and where there is great deal of interdependence. Thoreau believes that if one frees oneself from material possessions and achieves mental elevation, then they will be able to pursue happiness. Thoreau and Cranes contrasting opinions on materialism, philanthropy, and self reliance give insight to their views on achieving happiness in life.

Works Cited

Crane, Stephen. Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. Ed. Kevin J. Hayes. Boston: Bedford/St.Martin's, 1999. Print.

Thoreau, Henry David. Barnes & Nobles Citations. N.p.: n.p., 2005. Print.