The Girl Who Had Nothing

"The Girl Who Had Nothing" by A. M. Williamson is a story set in the early 1900s that looks at the life of Joan Carthew, a young girl who wants more than a tough life and dreams of moving up in the world. The story touches on themes of wanting something better, social differences, and finding who you are, as Joan deals with her rough life while wanting wealth and to be accepted. Joan is alone and neglected in a Brighton lodging house, and she runs away. During her escape, she meets a girl who has everything she wants—wealth, beauty, and respectability. This chance meeting makes Joan determined to change her destiny. She then throws herself in front of a carriage, leading to her being taken in by a kind lady. The beginning shows Joan’s difficult path as she deals with her past and tries to create her own future.