Ritika Chamlagai
Mrs. Watson
AP English 11, Period 8
7 December 2017
Naturalism: Environmental Effects on Characters in Maggie, a Girl of the Streets Ideas of nature governing human character date back to ancient Greece as early as the seventh century BCE, but naturalism as a literary genre only began in the late nineteenth century. Naturalist writers wrote about the role of the environment in shaping human character. Works of naturalism derived their principles from scientific theories such as Darwinism. Stephen Crane, a naturalist American writer, incorporated Darwin’s theory of the survival of the fittest in his works about city life and social class. A time period in American history, known as the Gilded Age, inspired much of Crane’s ideas. During that time period American population and economy grew rapidly along with political corruption and social gaps. In his novel, Maggie, a Girl of the Streets, Crane portrays his characters …show more content…
Growing up around violent parents and peers negatively influence the characters’ conflict resolution skills. Furthermore, living in a poor neighborhood forces the characters to either conform to the immoral ways of their society or fall victim to the consequences of violating the unjust moral codes. In fact, the characters themselves symbolize parts of their society’s unfair standards, which drives Maggie to take her own life. In short, Crane demonstrates the idea that one’s conditions prove more powerful than their will through Maggie’s unsuccessful journey to escape her miserable life. An individual should focus on evolving into a better person rather than trying to escape their condition. More importantly, one should carefully choose the people they want to surround themselves with, for one’s surrounding can greatly impact their
Mrs. Watson
AP English 11, Period 8
7 December 2017
Naturalism: Environmental Effects on Characters in Maggie, a Girl of the Streets Ideas of nature governing human character date back to ancient Greece as early as the seventh century BCE, but naturalism as a literary genre only began in the late nineteenth century. Naturalist writers wrote about the role of the environment in shaping human character. Works of naturalism derived their principles from scientific theories such as Darwinism. Stephen Crane, a naturalist American writer, incorporated Darwin’s theory of the survival of the fittest in his works about city life and social class. A time period in American history, known as the Gilded Age, inspired much of Crane’s ideas. During that time period American population and economy grew rapidly along with political corruption and social gaps. In his novel, Maggie, a Girl of the Streets, Crane portrays his characters …show more content…
Growing up around violent parents and peers negatively influence the characters’ conflict resolution skills. Furthermore, living in a poor neighborhood forces the characters to either conform to the immoral ways of their society or fall victim to the consequences of violating the unjust moral codes. In fact, the characters themselves symbolize parts of their society’s unfair standards, which drives Maggie to take her own life. In short, Crane demonstrates the idea that one’s conditions prove more powerful than their will through Maggie’s unsuccessful journey to escape her miserable life. An individual should focus on evolving into a better person rather than trying to escape their condition. More importantly, one should carefully choose the people they want to surround themselves with, for one’s surrounding can greatly impact their