Reflective Essay: The Tipping Point

Everyone's New York experience has its differences and similarities. In “Growing up Unrented on the Lower East Side” by Edmund Berrigan and “Here is New York” by E.B White two stories that tell the audiences each of the author's encounters and what they observe living in New York. In White’s journal, he talks about New York as a whole and what it’s like to live in New York. On the other hand, Berrigan speaks about what his childhood was like living in New York. White and Berrigan both lived in New York their entire life. There are many similarities shown in these journals, both authors grew among some very famous people and they both felt the solitude New York offers. However, E.B White didn't feel satisfied with the kind of life he was living in New York while Edmund Berrigan seemed to take life in New York for what it is without complaints.

The representation of New York City is different for everyone. Despite sharing the same city, no two people will experience it the same way. This is proven in the texts of The Colossus of New York, “Goodbye to All That,” and “Here is New York,” by Colson Whitehead, Joan Didion, and E. B. White respectfully. While all three authors have their own point of views about New York, they do manage to use some similar elements to express their knowledge of city while still having differences. All three authors use imagery to create a mental picture of what is being read. However, Whitehead uses satire, Didion uses the literary device of hyperbole, and White uses cacophonous words, to write about New York in a way that is

As for New York City, in the novel it is defined as the perfect place to live life to the fullest and not have a care of the world. As a reader, it is expected to envision this city full of lights as a bright, restless, and colorful place. Nick Carraway depicts New York City as a “...city rising up across the river in white heaps and sugar lumps all built with a wish out of non-olfactory money. The city seen from the Queensboro Bridge is always the city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of

While the city had its positive attributes, sometimes the young people get wrapped up in the negative aspects of the city. George also realizes that New York is a place where people, especially young people, restrict themselves.

New York City’s population is a little over 8.3 million people. 8.3 million people are spread out among five boroughs and each have their own set routine. Each one of those 8.3 million see New York in a different way becuase “You start building your private New York the first time you lay eyes on it” (“City Limits” 4). Some people are like Colson Whitehead who “was born here and thus ruined for anywhere else” (“City Limits” 3). Others may have “moved here a couple years ago for a job. Maybe [they] came here for school” (“City Limits” 3). Different reasons have brought these people together. They are grouped as New Yorkers, but many times, living in New York is their only bond. With on going changes and never ending commotion, it is hard to

Traveling between the Bronx and Manhattan has allowed me to see that even though they are so close in distance, everyone is yet so far. Being raised in the Bronx has allowed me to gain a sense of home and recognition, but also how stereotypes are meant to deceive us. The Bronx is labeled as a dangerous place, where violence occurs, but people neglect the beauty and happiness that surrounds it too. Meanwhile, when people think of Manhattan, they see it as the heart of New York where everyone is living their dreams. When in reality, the “heart” of New York is much more distant from itself, and that is not just because it is on an island.

New York City has been in a constant state of change since the 1970’s. Evolving from a state of art and decrepitness to a glistening city of consumption. Yet in Jeremiah Moss’ book, Vanishing New York, the city did not “evolve” for the locals who breathed and lived in the city– the ones who made New York City the place to be, but rather for the big businesses who lure in the tourists who change the city into some kind of sister city to their middle American hometown. Moss uses the same ideas bell hooks wrote about in her “Eating the Other” essay, in that New Yorkers, the “other”, in all their artsy, queer, and ethnic ways are used to “spice up” the city, to make it a place worth coveting so that the rich and elite can sell a watered down/hollow

While explaining his new daily routine, he expressed his views on the city, “I began to like New York, the racy, adventurous feel of it at night, and the satisfaction that the contrast flicker of men and women and machines give to the restless eye” (56). When he says this, his tone is a tinge of sadness but mostly acceptance. It doesn’t seem to affect or bother him that he feels solitary in a big city. He admits that he feels lonely, but he also believes other people in New York feel lonely as well. Showing that even though a big city can be exciting and filled with opportunities, it’s not always as grand as people make it

The history of New York City is compelling with its history of cultural arts that has derived from many various cultures throughout the world. New York City is like no other city in the world an estimated 8.5 million residents live in New York City not to mention the other surrounding counties in or around New York that commute daily to work, or visit . Millions of Tourist each year visit, the streets of the city to observe a city that has so much flavor from tall rise buildings to cultural communities that has not lost their native practices, and customs.

“It got to be easy to look at New Yorkers as animals, especially looking down from some place like a balcony at Grand Central at the rush hour Friday afternoon.” (Tom Wolfe). “O Rotten Gotham” argues that New Yorkers are in a state of behavioral sink. It would not be long before a “population collapse” or a “massive die off”.

Thanks to the use of the different areas of the West Side parts of New York in this movie, we get to encounter a great appreciation of the city and those who live in it. The Movie makes us discover how New York belongs to the people who live there and how the various neighbourhoods adapt and evolve to their way of life. The production greatly showcases the different sceneries in the West

The sounds of the city penetrated the walls of the cab as we drove through the streets of Manhattan. I could hardly wait to partake in the action that was happening outside. The buildings themselves were an amazing site to behold. The buildings took on personalities of their own. Each building was bigger and more graceful than the next. When lights were added to the mix it was a dazzling combination. The city itself felt like a great big hug, and I felt overwhelmed by its power. The city allowed me to become part of it just like many others many years ago who immigrated to this awesome city. As I was looking out of the cab I finally got to see in person the sight of all sights; Times Square. The main juncture of

Being in new York allows people to be exposed to art, media, culture all in one place. There is no place like New York which is why so many people flock to America’s most populated city. Since it is so desirable to live the lifestyle, prices have skyrocket on the island of manhattan as well as surrounding areas. This results in people working themselves to death, and in return losing their minds. Zadie writes about people that come to NYC to make something of themselves, and in return adapt to a busy restless life style. Thankfully, I have yet to encounter the anxieties that come with trying to make a life in one of the most expensive cities in the world, which is why I found my peace quite easily at the Highline. Praised to be one of the

I totally agree with what the author is saying in the text. It takes time to get a good product out even though we think some people are deep and wonderful they still have the same struggles that we have when it comes to writing. I like this text because it is realistic it is giving an account of first drafts from common day people and shows how it is even for professional writers have problems with. This point is important because as people we sometimes feel we are not as good or capable of doing something not realizing that the people we look up to have the same problems we do. Another point that I agree with the author on is that you have to start somewhere. Many times as writers we don’t know where to start when it comes to writing. That being said we will just sit and think for ten twenty minutes when we could've just been information on the paper and then editing it later. In addition I liked that the author used examples from his professional experience when it came to writing food reviews. By him using details like how he went to the restaurant and sat down with friends and took notes of what was said. This was good to me because it helps me connect with him and the things that he does to write his reviews.

When you mention New York to anyone, they automatically think about Times Square. This beautiful place with skyscrapers, Central Park, and a unique transportation system. However, if you were to ask me what I think about New York; I believe the skyscrapers block the sun, Central park is just a regular park for dogs, and the subway trains rarely run consistently especially in the mornings. I have lived in New York for 18 years, and I have yet to understand what everyone likes about the “ Big Red Apple.”