Loss of innocence is often associated with the gain of experience, but corruption of an individual is also a very influential factor. Graham Greene, in his short story "The Basement Room", demonstrates that an individual's life can forever be changed by taking away their innocence and simultaneously forcing experience onto them. Philip, the main character of the story, undergoes many vital changes as a result of the abuse of his innocence by both Mr. and Mrs. Baines, corruption of his personality and innocence by both of them again, and the psychological trauma laid upon him as a result of that abuse and corruption. In the adult world, innocence is rare to meet and is therefore taken for granted when faced with in the example of young children, whose innocence is often abused and destroyed by the harsh reality of those adults.

Innocence is one of the most crucial...