well, it doesn't get more real than "Maggie" lol. That story was sort of depressing. There's only one little glimmer of hope in it.

I'm enjoying the regionalism!

There was hope? Did I miss it?

the part where Maggie sees the lady who is in a higher class....

...it then runs through her mind that perhaps she too could be one of these women someday

I suppose. But it doesn't end up that way sadly...

maggie does show a glimmer of hope

I like regionalism too stjoesph. I love detail. The gloom of the streets was its own character in "Maggie".

I enjoyed realism too but i didnt necessarily see the glimmer of hope all of you are referring to