Gender Inequality In Maggie, A Girl Of The Streets

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The effort of pursuing gender equality is one that has faced many trials and tribulations throughout American History. Modern day movements to promote gender equality have stemmed from previous movements. Ideas of equal pay for equal work, equal job opportunities, equal opportunities within education all can be traced back to as late as the Industrial Revolution. Due to the job growth, because of the Industrial Revolution in the 1800s, the necessity to hire women became more prominent within the factories. Females began working in factories and started to earn wages less than men. Soon after women recognized the disparity in their wages compared to their male counterparts, the women understood that they were being treated unequally. Not only were they making lower wages than the men, they were working in worse conditions with very little opportunity to advance. …show more content…

The story takes place in the Bowery of New York City, where the main character, Maggie, puts her best effort forth each day by making the most out of the horrid and poverty-filled life that she and her family was facing. Stephen Crane fabricates the idea of how gender inequality was presented at that time. By looking through the characterization of Maggie, it is clear to suggest that the vulgar language in the environment, lack of opportunity exposed to women, and the poverty that was presented through the Industrial Revolution demolished the overall innocence and respect that was portrayed in Maggie. Due to the consequences of the environment in the Bowery, Maggie revealed her savage actions, which led to the only option of choosing prostitution in order to escape from the harsh conditions she was

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