In "Here Is New York" by E. B. White, White starts off by defining New York as what it is not because it shows that New York City is flawed. The idea of the essay is to show that there is beauty in chaos, and NYC exemplifies this statement. While to a traveler or tourist New York City may seem like an unforgiving, cold and harsh place, the native New Yorker knows different: whether you live in SoHo or the Bronx, you are part of a community more tightly knit than many small villages and towns. New Yorkers revel in their toughness, their ability to face extremes without showing any sign of fear, and while this can come across as impersonal, it is hardly the case. Neighbors, whether they know each other well or not, look after each other, shop owners are on one on one terms with customers, and people who live near each other are in it together. While New York City can be crowded, smelly, and occasionally dangerous, the residents all share a certain pride that helps them get through the problems of such a complex system. This unity with strangers is the beauty of the city- while walking a crowded street, sitting on a stalled subway, or waiting in line for the coffee shop or deli, you can turn to the stranger next to you and talk like you have known each other for years.
This sense of community is also demonstrated in Thurber's "University Days" in the fact that the students watch out for each other. While Thurber struggled with apathetic and harsh professors and teachers, he still felt connected to his classmates. University life was somewhat different than Thurber expected, as shown in his Botany class. Instead of acknowledging Thurber's sight disability, the professor got aggravated at him. His stubborn professor caused him to fail the class, while it could be avoided by a mutual understanding. While this was unfair, Thurber also did not live up to the University standards. He did not try to swim laps in gym (instead having another boy do the work for him), and his work in ROTC was also below average, due to his own fault. Even with these disappointments, Thurber still felt like a part of something. When a classmate struggled, the entire class tried to help. The students at the university were all connected emotionally, and this led to a sense of community and mutual trust.
First, your response to Here is New York is extremely well written and it has a great flow. But I completely agree, visitors who are coming to the city have no understanding of the sense of belonging that most New Yorkers feel. Therefore they are unable to experience the same amount of tolerance that New Yorkers have. Although I think there is a sense of understanding among visitors from other cities, such as Chicago and Los Angles. When people from those cities go to New York they feel only the sense of beauty that E.B. white describes because they have already felt the discomforts on a similar level. I think that the largest difference can be seen when people come from small towns to visit the big city. That is what White is better explaining in his story.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comment above, your response is really well written. In Here is New York I also see the pride of New Yorkers despite the less than perfect environment and conditions. However, I disagree with your view on Thurber's University Days. Although, our views on how Thurber failed the community is similar. I thought he felt that he didn't connect with the community. Especially in Botany where the whole class was able to converse and see the cells, while Thurber is left on the sidelines. Instead of seeing Thurber's trust in the community, Thurber, to me, seems to view the community as a another bump on the road that he has to get through.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of your views on Here Is New York. He does want everyone to know that New York has flaws, like everywhere else, and that's why he starts out by pointing them out. I thought that how you said, "...the idea of this essay is to show that there is beauty in chaos," is so spot on. I didn't even think of that but it's fantastic. He does want to show that the tourists think that New York is harsh but that's just because they don't really know New York, they don't live there. The people who live in New York know what it really is and they experience it full on, so it doesn't compare to people just visiting. And, everyone who lives in New York is really proud of it.
ReplyDeleteI like how you stated, "...the residents all share a certain pride that helps them get through the problems of such a complex system." In my opinion, that was exactly the authors point. There are flaws to New York city, and some tourists would never want to live there, but it really is a nice place if you try to fit in.
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