Maggie the Girl of the Streets and innocence

"Maggie, A Girl of the Streets" by Stephen Crane is an illustration of the morals and views of innocence in the early 1900's. The story chases the young and innocent Maggie into a life of sinfulness. The opinions of all of those around her change during her growth, and express the ideals of life during that time. Innocence is defined as freedom from sin, wrong, or guilt. (Barnhart 413) Many people value innocence as a very …

…this. This is most apparent when Maggie and her mother have another argument about her and Pete. The neighbors from around their apartment come out into the hall and stare, but no one will come close because they do not want to be corrupted by this "evil" child. (Crane 54) Bibliography Barnhart, Clarence L. Thorndike-Barnhart Comprehensive Desk Dictionary. Chicago: Scott Foresman and Company, 1953. Crane, Stephen "maggie a Girl of the Street" New York: Washington Square Press, 1972.