Chas Goldman

CAP English
Red
11-16-14
Thoreau Crane Essay

Henry David Thoreau in Walden, and Stephen Crane in Maggie: A Girl of the
Streets, have opposing views on the topics of self-reliance and fate or destiny in ones
life, despite their differences the authors would agree on the topic of philanthropists. In
order to distance himself from civilization Thoreau moves into the woods. While there he
pens Walden, a book in which he contemplates life and critiques society. The book is a
non-fiction account of Thoreaus day-to-day comings and goings and is a prime example
of Transcendentalist writing. Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, on the other hand, is a
fictional story that follows a young girl growing up in the slums of New York City during
the turn of the Century. Maggie is born into a poor and dysfunctional family. She lives a
life of false hope before being forced into prostitution. With a cruel life ahead of her
Maggie decides to take her own life. In edited versions Maggie is actually murdered by a
man because the original, in which she kills herself, was too dark for readers at the time.
The writing by Stephen Crane is staggeringly depressing and is an example of the literary
movement of Realism.
Henry David Thoreau and Stephen Crane have differing views on self-reliance.
Thoreau is an avid believer in self-reliance and believes that all men should be in charge
of their own lives and not have to rely on others for support. This is shown in Walden
when Thoreau states, Above all, as I have implied, the man who goes alone can start today, but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready, and it may be a

long time before they get off (60). Thoreau is saying that anyone can get started on
anything at anytime if one sets ones mind too it, but if a man is stuck waiting for another
man neither of them may end up beginning at all. When referring to seniors Thoreau
states, They have told me nothing, and probably cannot tell me of anything (12). He
believes in the concept of self-discovery, which goes hand in hand with self-reliance and
this is why he ignores the wisdom of seniors. Crane, however, believes that some people
do not have the capability to be self-reliant. This is evident in the character Maggie who
lives her entire life in need of support but is neglected; the price of that negligence ends
up being her life. When it is implied that Maggie is taking her life Crane writes, The
varied sounds of life, made joyous by distance and seeming unapproachable ness, came
faintly and died away in silence (89). This states that if Maggie could have possibly
been helped or supported maybe she would not have been so direly hopeless. The sounds
of life or happiness are present within her but they are never actualized within Maggie
because no one has made her feel that way. While referring to Maggie and her companion
Pete, Crane writes, From her eyes plucked all look of self-reliance. She leaned with a
dependent air towards her companion (73). The quote shows how some people must
depend on others for support and cannot be self-reliant, simply because it is impossible
for some people to be self-reliant. The two authors have contrasting opinions on selfreliance, as Thoreau believes that all must be completely independent and self-reliant
Crane thinks that some people cannot be self-reliant because of their environment.
Thoreau and Crane would also differ in their views on the role fate in ones life.
Thoreau believes that a man is in control of his fate no matter his situation in life.
Thoreau writes, What a man thinks of himself, that it is which determines, or rather

indicates his fate (10-11). He is stating that a man with a high opinion of himself will
make more confident, and better, decisions and will therefore take control over his own
life. Thoreau also writes that each person has the ability to, find and pursue his own
way (59). This remark also shows Thoreaus position that men are in control of their
own lives and have the power to determine the outcome. Unlike Thoreau, Crane believes
that a mans life is determined by fate. Maggie cannot take charge of her life and go live
in the forest as does Thoreau. This is shown when Maggie, wondered if the culture
and the refinement she had seen could be acquired by a girl who lived in a tenement
house and worked in a shirt factory (62). Cranes entire narrative seems to be a story of
delaying the inevitable. Crane also pens the line, Whereupon she went to work, having
the feminine aversion of going to hell (49). This shows that Maggie would rather do
almost anything than work in the shirt factory or be a prostitute but those seem to be the
only options presented to her because of the environment from which she comes. This
cements Cranes opinion that fate is a matter of ones surroundings and experiences and is
not simply controllable at all times.
Thoreau and Crane would agree on their views of philanthropists. Both Thoreau
and Crane believe that philanthropists are self-indulgent. Thoreau writes that
philanthropists are simply, indulging selfishly for their own sake (159). He believes
that philanthropists only participate in philanthropy in order to make themselves feel or
look better. Thoreau also states that, Philanthropy is almost the only virtue, which is
sufficiently appreciated by mankind. Nay, it is greatly overrated; and it is our selfishness
that overrates it (63). Thoreau argues that mankind overrates the action of philanthropy
as well as philanthropists. This isnt to say that Thoreau doesnt believe in doing good

deeds for others, he just questions the motives of philanthropists. Stephen Crane shares a
similar view to that of Thoreau. Crane believes that philanthropy is a just and kind act but
would agree with Thoreau on the topic of philanthropists. This is shown in part of the text
in which when a priest is given the chance to help Maggie. The priest however, does not
help Maggie because he, did not risk it [his reputation] to save a soul and would
rather, save his respectability than to help Maggie (86-87). The priest places his
own respectability ahead of the ideas of philanthropy, showing the extent to which
philanthropists can be selfish. Both authors would agree that there is no such thing as,
pure, unselfish philanthropy.
Thoreau and Crane are very different authors writing in two very different literary
periods. Thoreaus Transcendentalist views on self-reliance and fate are clear in his
writing. In Cranes short story, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, the Realist literary period is
portrayed. This is shown in Cranes depressing writing, and in his messages that not
everyone can be independent and take matters into their own hands as Thoreau argues
that one can. These two authors have differing opinions on the topics of self-reliance and
destiny but agree on the topic of philanthropists.

Citations

Thoreau, Henry David, Owen Paul Thomas, and Henry David

Thoreau. Walden and Civil Disobedience: Authoritative Texts,
Background, Reviews, and Essays in Criticism. New York:
W.W. Norton, 1966. Print.

Crane, Stephen, and Thomas A. Gullason. Maggie, a Girl of

the Streets: (a Story of New York). New York: Norton, 1979.
Print.