what maisie knew

Masie is often neglected as a child, which causes her to become quiet and analytical. Her closest relationships are to her caretakers, especially Mrs. Wix, rather than her parents. Much of this novel is shaped through this lens. Due to the neglect and emotional abuse Maisie suffers in early childhood, she loses her innocence at a younger age than most. In fact, the title of the book refers to how much Maisie knows about adult relationships from witnessing the turbulent marriages of Ida, Beale, Sir Claude, and Miss Overmore. This is evidenced by the final line of the book, a thought of Mrs. Wix's as the two characters leave Sir Claude and Miss Overmore: "She still had room for wonder at what Maisie knew."