In spite of the book’s brevity, the lack of memorable characters or poignant soul-searching scenes, Stephen Crane’s

marks an important point in American Literature. R. E. Spiller in

argues that with the publication of

“modern American fiction was born” (1022). Most critics call

America’s first naturalistic novel. Naturalism was to become one of the most important and pervasive literary movements of the early twentieth century. First popularized in France during the latter part of the nineteenth century, Emile Zola advanced this art form in his essay “The Experimental Novel”, arguing for a new literature, scientific in approach, written to demonstrate the influence of heredity and…

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Citation: Loges, Max Lester. "Maggie: A Girl of the Streets". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 07 January 2019 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=3773, accessed 25 November 2024.]