Problem 1: What is Maggie's fate and is it inevitable? Explain your answer.
Problem 2: Why does Crane have baby Tommie die so abruptly?
Problem 3: What are the causes of Jimmie's anger-generally and specifically?
Problem 4: What is the role of entertainment and live shows in the lives of the characters and of the audience members more generally?
Problem 5: Why do Mary and Jimmie turn against Maggie?
Problem 6: Why does Pete abandon Maggie?
Problem 7: Are there any redeeming characters in Maggie? If so, explain who and why. If not, explain why Crane has written the story this way.
Problem 8: How does religion factor into the lives of the characters? What is Crane telling us through these representations?
Problem 9: Identify one major contrast and explain its significance. For example, opposing settings/environments in the story, characters, ideas/beliefs, etc.
Problem 10: What is your interpretation of the events in Chapter XVII? Is this Maggie? Explain how we can tell it is or isn't her