Thoreau/Crane Comparison Essay Judy Tram CAP English Red Group 11/7/13

Henry David Thoreaus book, Walden, and Stephen Cranes book, Maggie A Girl of the Streets, address similar views on philanthropy and materialism, but disagree on selfreliance. Thoreau, a transcendentalist, departs from civilization to Walden Pond for two years and two months to embrace his natural surroundings. There, he writes Walden, which expresses his views on the significance of simplicity and self-reliance. He also comments on his disapproval of philanthropists and materialism. Although the books are written during different time periods, Crane also discusses similar topics as Thoreau. Crane, a realist, portrays in his book the brutal life of a young girl, Maggie, struggling to survive in lowly conditions. In his book, Crane exposes Maggie to the unpleasant side of philanthropy and materialism. Maggie is also faced with the challenge of relying on herself, and although Thoreau believes self-reliance is the ideal, Crane contradicts him by depicting Maggie in undesirable situation due to her self-reliance. Thoreau and Crane see philanthropy as overrated and perceive philanthropists as glorified people only giving what they want, and not what the poor actually need. Thoreau believes philanthropy is greatly overrated due to selfishness, the selfishness of philanthropists constantly receiving attention for their benevolence. Philanthropy, according to Thoreau, is almost the only virtue which is sufficiently appreciated by mankind (63). Thoreau states that philanthropy is the main act that receives a great deal of recognition, while other important acts such as inventing receive less attention. He doesnt consider philanthropy an act of kindness if the philanthropist is motivated by rewards and acknowledgment. He also deems that philanthropists who give the poor money are not beneficial and only encourage the poor to continue living in their lowly conditions. Thoreau states, Be sure that you give the poor the aid they most need, though
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it be your example which leaves them far behind (62). Instead of just giving money to the poor, the philanthropists should help the poor learn to provide for themselves. Thoreau believes philanthropists should give the poor what they actually need and not what the philanthropists think they need. Similar to Thoreaus views, Crane also discusses philanthropy in Maggie. He writes about a preacher lecturing to the ragged people about their sins and where they stand with God while they wait for their soup: You are damned, said the preacher. And the reader of sounds might have seen the reply go fourth from the ragged people: Wheres our soup? (46). This exemplifies the philanthropist trying to give the poor what he thinks they need, rather than what they want. Even though the preacher believes he is helping these people by informing them about their sins and trying to help heal their souls, he does not realize or bother to listen to their cries of hunger. Maggie also encounters a priest who rejects her in order to avoid losing his reputation. Crane writes, But as the girl timidly accosted him, he gave a convulsive movement and saved his respectability by a vigorous side-step (87). Agreeing with Thoreau, Crane is saying that philanthropists are selfish and seek to help others only if it benefits them. The man whom Maggie tries to approach does not want to be seen with someone of her occupation because it would degrade his status. According to these two writers, philanthropy is tarnished by the selfishness of attention-seeking philanthropists. Both authors agree that one should live without materialism or possession. Throughout his book, Thoreau consistently expresses his disapproval of possessions. He states that the main necessities of life are food, shelter, clothing, and fuel. Anything beyond those, he considers a luxury and excessive. Thoreau notes, A lady once offered me a matI declined it, preferring to wipe my feet on the sod before my door. It is best to avoid the
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beginnings of evil (56). The mat represents a possession, and to Thoreau, it is unnecessary therefore evil. He prefers to wipe his feet on the sod that is already provided by nature. Thoreau believes that people are so preoccupied with luxury and possession that materialism takes over their priorities, making them tools of their tools (33). Thoreau has also experienced firsthand becoming a tool to his possession, in which he remarks, I had three pieces of limestone on my desk, but I was terrified to find that they required to be dusted daily, when the furniture of my mind was all undusted still, and I threw them out the window in disgust (32). He throws away the limestone because he has to take care of it rather than having it benefit him. According to Thoreau, materialism is insignificant and should not be valued so highly. Crane conveys a similar idea of materialism in Maggie. When Maggie first notices Pete, she marvel[s] at him and surround[s] him with greatness because she believes that he is beyond her (55). She admires the way he holds himself with confidence and furthermore, his appearance and the possessions he owns amazes her. Maggie believes that materialism will improve her life and make her more respectable. In an attempt to impress Pete, Maggie spends a weeks pay on a lambrequin. The lambrequin signifies Maggies belief that owning possessions will better her life. She spends her hardearned money on a materialistic item, thinking it will be admired by Pete, only to have it overlooked. Pete [spends] a few moments in flourishing his clothes and then [vanishes], without having glanced at the lambrequin (55). This stresses the unimportance of possessions. Crane depicts the insignificance of the lambrequin, or material acquisitions, by having the situation come out differently than what Maggie expects. Crane shows his views on materialism through the mistreatment of the lambrequin.

Thoreau and Crane discuss the same topic of self-reliance, though, from opposing perspectives. Thoreau views self-reliance as the ideal way to live. He demonstrates his own self-reliance by going to Walden Pond and isolating himself from human contact. In the woods, he builds a small house all of which was done by [himself], using a few materials that cost him the same as a students annual rent (41). Thoreau brags about this achievement, but claims he does it only to show that anyone can accomplish what he has done without the help of others. He also advises that one should experience life for him or herself and not rely on the advice of elders. Thoreau states that his seniors have not helped him get ahead in life. He has not learned anything from them and they cannot provide him with anything useful. Thoreau claims, They have told me nothing, and probably cannot tell me any thing, to the purpose. Here is life, an experiment untried by me; but it does not avail me that they have tried it (12). Thoreau believes that life is an experiment, and everyone will get different results, so it is best to test it out for oneself and gain experience, rather than depend on others guidance. Cranes view of self-reliance is drastically different from Thoreaus. While Thoreau perceives self-reliance as a strength, Crane depicts self-reliance as a weakness. He portrays Maggie as reliant on Pete. After Pete abandons her, she attempts to come back home where her family and community members reject her. She is then forced to become self-reliant and her hope is lost. Months after she is rejected, Crane describes her as a girl of the painted cohorts of the city wandering the streets (87). On her own, Maggie becomes a prostitute. Obviously this is not the ideal job, but as a young girl, she does not have many options. As Maggie continues to wander, she goes to a nearby river with an unknown man and at their feet the river appear[s] a deathly black hueThe varied sounds of life, made joyous by the distance and seeming approachableness, [comes]

faintly and die[s] away to a silence (89). This is the outcome of a defenseless girl forced into a harsh world with no one supporting her. Crane expresses his view on the impossibility of some people to be self-reliant through the tragic ending of Maggies life. Walden and Maggie A Girl of the Streets are distinct books with separate settings and plotlines. While Thoreau gives the reader guidelines on how to live a perfect life, Crane depicts a realistic image of life in the slums; however, they both incorporate similar ideas of philanthropy and materialism. Both men agree that philanthropy is tainted and corrupt by the selfishness of philanthropists. There is never true philanthropy because philanthropists dont give the poor what they need. Thoreau and Crane also share the same thoughts on materialism. According to the authors, materialism is unnecessary and therefore should not be considered valuable or significant. The topic of self-reliance is also mentioned it both books, however; Thoreau and Crane have opposing perspectives. One values self-reliance highly, while the other is against self-reliance. Two authors of diverse books offer their judgment on the same topics with similar and different views.

Work Cited Crane, Stephen. Maggie A Girl of the Streets. Ed. Kevin J. Hayes. N.p.: Emily Berleth, 1999. Print. Thoreau, Henry David. Walden. New York: Barnes & Noble Classics, 1854. Print.