- Andre Aciman describes how memorable Straus Park was from the beginning. How has the park changed since then?
- What memories does the park bring up for the narrator? Why is it so difficult for the narrator to adapt to the new environment?
- Why does the narrator call “New York is my home”? What is behind the title of the story?
3 thoughts on “3 Questions on “Shadow Cities””
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With all due respect, I think your first question is irrelevant to the message of the author. He was describing the park to establish emotional attachment to that place.
2) The park brings memories of Rome and Alexandria for the narrator. It is so difficult for the narrator to adapt to the new environment because the narrator never let go of his past. Thus, he is unable to move on and adapt to the new surroundings.
1) I think that the park has a great symbolic meaning that can be seen as a parallel to his process in recalling the past. He describes the way he felt as he saw the park being shut down and filled with reflective-vested workers. Aciman felt sad because it was a comforting place for him where he was able to feel and see different cities of the world in one place. Finally, when Aciman realizes Straus Park was merely renovated and not demolished, he explained that he was living in a shadow city that he once took part of.