When Mark Twain published his Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in 1884, it was seen as the most important representative of a new literary movement: the realistic literature. Though not everyone thought of the novel as a “masterpiece” from the beginning on, it became more popular and significant in the following decades. Ernest Hemingway even called it “the one book that all modern American literature comes from” (Bloom 2004:2). Taken at face value, this statement implies that also Stephen Crane's Maggie – A Girl of the Streets has been influenced by Twain's writing. Since both authors belong to the same period in American literature they naturally adopted literary styles, topics and devices that were typical for that era. Though both novels belong to the realistic period they vary in certain aspects. Unique to Crane's novel are the use of language and the determinism that accompanies the story. These aspects are the central subjects of this paper. It states that language, the characters and the aspect of determinism make Maggie a rather naturalistic than realistic novel. To understand the difference between both terms a review gives the characteristics of realism and separates naturalism as an independent literary form. The two main aspects that make Maggie a naturalistic novel are being examined separately afterwards. Here, the novel itself shall be the main source. At first, determinism is detected in the novel and it shall explain how the characters' fate is shaped throughout the story. Afterwards, aspects of naturalistic language and animal metaphors are examined. The conclusion gives a brief summary of the findings and offers further considerations on the topic and the novel.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Realism and Naturalism – two different periods?
2.1. The social background – America after the Civil War
2.2. Topics in Realism and Naturalism
2.3. The special field of Naturalism
2.4. Characteristics of literary Naturalism
3. Case Study: Maggie – A Girl of the Streets
3.1. Determinism in Maggie
3.2. Animal metaphors and language
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines how Stephen Crane’s novel Maggie – A Girl of the Streets exemplifies the principles of literary naturalism, specifically through the themes of determinism and the use of language. It investigates how the characters’ fates are inextricably linked to their environment and inherited traits, rather than individual choice.
- Historical and social context of American Realism and Naturalism
- Theoretical foundations of literary determinism and social Darwinism
- Application of naturalistic narrative modes in Maggie
- Analysis of animal metaphors and linguistic passivity in character development
- Distinction between Realism and Naturalism as literary movements
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Determinism in Maggie
Since Darwinism and Naturalism imply that humans are “[. . .] almost entirely, shaped by natural forces such as heredity, instincts, and the environment” (Randolph 2004:46) their destiny already starts in the early childhood. Here is where the foundations for their future lives are laid. One episode in Maggie shows that already little children are effected by their environment. Here, it is Maggie's little baby brother. Though he does not have a great function in the story there are several metaphors that show how his family and environment implicates him into the stream of poverty. There is no chance of escaping it. In chapter 2 the reader gets an insight of how Maggie's family and home look like. Maggie has to nurse her little brother and is quiet impatient with him: “She jerked the baby's arm. He fell on his face, roaring. With a second jerk she pulled him to his feet, and they went on” (ch.2:4). The metaphorical picture of pulling the baby into a certain direction appears again later: Timmie “protested against being dragged in a chosen direction” and “the babe bawled tremendously, protesting with great violence” (ch.2:4f). On the surface, the baby does not want to follow his sister and is impatient. But if the naturalistic model is put on it, the baby may make some efforts to escape his fate. He wants to get out of the environment that is about to ruin him.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on determinism and language in Stephen Crane’s Maggie and sets the context within the realistic literary period.
2. Realism and Naturalism – two different periods?: Explores the transition from Romanticism to Realism and Naturalism, influenced by the social upheaval and industrialization following the American Civil War.
2.1. The social background – America after the Civil War: Details the demographic shifts, urbanization, and harsh working conditions that characterized the post-war American landscape.
2.2. Topics in Realism and Naturalism: Discusses how literature shifted to cover contemporary social issues and the lives of the middle and lower classes.
2.3. The special field of Naturalism: Defines the core criterion of Naturalism as scientific determinism and the belief that human destiny is shaped by natural and environmental forces.
2.4. Characteristics of literary Naturalism: Examines common narrative techniques, such as objectivity and the focus on "taboo" subjects like poverty and alcoholism.
3. Case Study: Maggie – A Girl of the Streets: Transitions the theoretical discussion into a practical analysis of how Crane’s novel functions as a naturalistic work.
3.1. Determinism in Maggie: Analyzes how the environment and heredity dictate the lives of the characters, using the examples of Tommie and Maggie’s mother.
3.2. Animal metaphors and language: Investigates the use of animal imagery to illustrate the brutal nature of the characters' struggles and the role of linguistic passivity.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes how Maggie functions as a role model of literary naturalism, where individuals are trapped by uncontrollable environmental forces.
5. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources used to support the analysis of American literature and Naturalism.
Keywords
Stephen Crane, Maggie, Naturalism, Realism, Determinism, Social Darwinism, American Civil War, Literature, Animal Metaphors, Environment, Poverty, Narrative Mode, Objectivity, Bowery, Literary History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on identifying and analyzing naturalistic elements in Stephen Crane’s Maggie – A Girl of the Streets, specifically examining how language and determinism shape the characters' lives.
Which literary movements are discussed?
The study primarily discusses Realism and Naturalism, exploring their historical context and key differences, particularly regarding the concept of free will versus determinism.
What is the central research question?
The paper asks how specific literary devices, such as animal metaphors and the portrayal of environmental constraints, position Maggie as a defining naturalistic novel.
What scientific theory heavily influences the analysis?
Social Darwinism is the primary theoretical lens used, specifically the idea that individuals are products of their environment and inherited traits, leaving them with little control over their destinies.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The body covers the historical background of post-Civil War America, the theoretical definitions of Naturalism, and a detailed case study of characters and language usage in Maggie.
How is the term "determinism" applied to the characters?
It is applied to suggest that characters like Maggie and her brother are inevitably molded by their violent and impoverished surroundings, making their tragic ends predictable.
What role do animal metaphors play in the novel?
They serve to emphasize the characters' base instincts and the brutal, often subhuman conditions they inhabit, reinforcing the naturalistic worldview that life is a desperate struggle.
Why does the author focus on Maggie's passivity?
The author argues that Maggie’s silence and linguistic passivity are characteristics of her environment, effectively rendering her a victim of external forces rather than an active agent of her own life.
Does the paper conclude that Maggie has a chance to change her fate?
No, the paper concludes that within the framework of Naturalism, the environmental forces described are so overwhelming that individual escape is impossible.
- Quote paper
- Kristina Eichhorst (Author), 2011, Naturalism in Stephen Crane's 'Maggie – A Girl of the Streets': An examination of determinism and language, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/188404
