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“Street Arab” is just the vernacular of the times for poor city boys who hang out on the streets (where else would they go?) and presumably are starting on lives of crime. The name is telling of other prejudices, though! And lets not forget Marilla’s attitude toward Italians, and that it was a Jew who defrauded Anne over the hair dye.
I don’t really hold the prejudices of the time against the book; not only would it be unreal for them not to exist in the story, it would be impossible for the author herself to be more aware than her times. I think the French Canadian aspect is the most interesting, as it really does tell us something about their times, alas, especially that they were confidently regarded as lesser beings despite daily personal contact.
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