Escaping Reality

In the first half of Part 1 in Atonement, Ian McEwan describes the trivial events of a seemingly innocuous day at the Tallis Mansion.  Insignificant events of domestic life are illustrated in full detail; a typical day depicted in slow motion through several vantage points.  Key players and their roles around the house are presented– the visiting cousins, Lola and her twin brothers, tainted by their parents divorce; the ineffective Matriarch (if she can even be called so) Emily;  the idealistic youngest daughter Briony engulfed in a world of fantasy and fairy tales; the older  rather rebellious sister (in terms of etiquette in Britain at the time) Cecilia; the worldly elder brother Leon; the guest Paul Marshall; and Robbie who had grown-up with the Tallis’, but still, more or less, the maid’s son.

As the story begins to unfold, it is clear that McEwan’s stylistic approach for the point of view of his narrator(s) serves a greater purpose, a detail in the larger theme of his novel.  Each perspective is one’s own version of their reality.  The facts become skewed, and the truth altered by perception.  As we near the end of Part 1, we are introduced to the real action of the novel. Two crimes are presented:  the rape of a young girl and the sentencing of an innocent man to jail.  The narrative is in search of the truth, which comes in the form of an adolescent girl with a vivid imagination, while McEwan questions whether truth exists at all, or is it as subjective as one’s memory.

After encountering Lola as she is being sexually assaulted amidst the chaos of the missing twins, presumably for the second time that evening, Briony is quick to condemn Robbie for this offense.  Like a child forcing the pieces of a puzzle to fit, she recalls the events of the day that she could not previously interpret (how could she have been so naive, she pondered): Robbie’s power over Cecilia by the fountain, his crude letter to her, and his attack in the study.  Aha! For these reasons alone, the figure over Lola MUST have been him.  Thus the blurry image she had of the shadow becomes sharpened by the pressing “evidence” against Robbie Turner.

“The truth was in the symmetry, which was to say, it was founded in common sense.  The truth instructed [Briony’s] eyes. So when she said, over and again, I saw him, she meant it, and was perfectly honest, as well as passionate…she would have preferred to qualify, or complicate, her use of the words “saw.”  Less like seeing, more like knowing.” (159)

But what exactly did Briony know?  McEwan suggests that only through hindsight will she acknowledge the repercussions of her accusation.  However, at the tender age of 13, she is hardly to blame.  In this instance, it was her truth.  When she had recounted her version of reality to the police, she was telling the truth as she had seen it, as she had believed it to be. Who could argue with the conviction of a young girl, the only witness to the crime? Even so, that fact hold no credibility.

In the 2006 op-ed by Steven Duke, his article Eyewitness Testimony Doesn’t Make It True from the Hartford Courant, proposes a not-so-startling statistic: eyewitness accounts are not only unreliable, but largely affected by one’s memory or knowledge of the case. “Studies have shown, for example, that if the police who conduct the identification procedures have knowledge of the case and its suspect, they will inevitably influence the eyewitness’s memory of the perpetrator in the direction of identifying the suspect”.  Clearly, there is something to be said about what society accepts  as truth, when truth is something that can be easily altered by perspective and memory.  Thus, truth as McEwan presents it, is not matter of fact, but rather obscure and up for debate.

Atonement Trailer *Spoiler Alert* After 1:20, the clip illustrates Parts 2-4 of the novel

I have included a short clip of the movie Atonement, which in a little over a minute presents Part 1 of the novel, clearly and concisely.

New York City. Many people come here to make it big, in hopes to see their name in flashing lights. Little do they know what living in New York is an adventure of its own. Surviving in the Big Apple takes a lot more than you’d think. Sure the city is often bustling with fun and entertainment, but often times, the only who get to enjoy this excitement are the tourists. So, what newcomers need is a certain edge to live in the Big Apple. It takes a combination of street savvy and well as some book smarts to survive living in New York City.

Money is the most important factor around living in New York City. To live in New York City is quite expensive. The rent alone on a decent place in New York would start at around 600-700 dollars, which doesn’t include utilities. So, between spending money on rent, food, and entertainment, and the unlimited metro card that most New Yorkers live by, it’s easy to see where your money goes at the end of the month. This is why although having money in the beginning helps, it takes a truly savvy person handling the money, to have each dime spent, reach its’ full value.

A true New Yorker knows where to catch the best deals for food. They have been around enough to know which restaurants offer lunch for fewer than 5 dollars, or where to get dumplings for a buck. This is where streets meets book smarts. Because the cost of living in New York is so high, each dollar spent is a dollar wasted. Therefore, saving a few bucks on lunch helps the average New Yorker in the long run.

Also, since you need to be on top of your expenses, a true New Yorker is able plan out their leisurely activities with a budget in mind. This includes taking advantage of many of the free entertainment that the city offers. By simply keeping up with local ads and events around your neighborhood, you will certainly find out about free shows in the park, movie screenings, and concerts. Moreover, you will be able to experience the New York life, while keeping within your available spending needs.

These are the attributes that make is necessary to survive in New York. New Yorkers are rough around the edges, and often tend to have an attitude, to keep tourists on their toes. But in all honesty, this is part of the appeal. That edge and confident attitude is what many people coming to New York seek. Although they won’t find that actualization until they go out and experience the city for themselves. Those who don’t posses this end up failing, and as Theodore Dreiser had said about New York. “The thing that impressed me then as now about New York . . . was the sharp, and at the same time immense, contrast it showed between the dull and the shrewd, the strong and the weak, the rich and the poor, the wise and the ignorant . . . the strong, or those who ultimately dominated, were so very strong, and the weak so very, very weak– and so very, very many. “

In today’s technology driven world, it is all about the blogs. With most of the general public using sites like MySpace, Facebook, BlogSpot and Twitter, it’s no surprise that blogging is the new way to network. From major corporations, celebrities, to the everyday Joe, people are making blogs. Through their writing, they do so in hopes to build traffic to their site and create a following, in short, a successful blog. Not all of the blogs made can stand on their own two feet. But, what makes a good blog? In theory it’s simple. Create a site that provides useful information, is easy to use, and is held together by a unique voice and personality and voila, a successful site is born. Sounds easy enough, but most sites seem to be missing some part of this formula. Yet, Freelance Writing Jobs, makes it look easy. This site combines content, with quality, and a personable appeal to illustrate what makes for a successful blog.

Upon entering Freelance Writing Jobs, the first thing to catch the visitor’s attention is the layout of the page. The colors are not flashy; in addition, the neutral tones are able to emphasize each separate section. The template for the page is simple, making it easy to use and to navigate throughout the site. The heading at the top consists of the menu bar that is categorized. The page is split between the navigation bar on the right hand side, and the left hand side, which is mainly text. Overall, the general design of the page allows is manageable making navigating throughout an effortless task.

After reading through a few of the posts, and understanding the purpose of this site, it’s clear to the visitor the helpfulness of this blog. Deborah Ng started this blog in hopes to bring together stay at home moms, who shared one common interest, finding opportunities outside of the home. She has since created a place where freelance writers can come together and share their advice and tips about opportunities in their community to expand their horizon.

Taking a step back from the technicality of the site, what makes this a great site is not only the content, but the personality behind it. The tone throughout the blog is friendly and personable, allowing the viewer to feel comfortable with the voice. At the same time, Deborah playfully adds sarcasm and wit making her online voice strong and realistic. To add, the reader can easily relate to the words, due to her sincerity. The insight that is provided is genuine. The advice and tips that are provided come from personal experiences as well as the experiences of the fellow freelance writers.

The most important factor that contributes to the success of this blog is the credibility of Deborah Ng. As the founder of this site, her own personal insight as a freelance writer gives her the credibility. In addition, Deborah can add Oxygen Media, About.com, and b5Media to the list of clients she has worked for. Moreover, she is the author of the eBook “Beyond Blogging: Using Your Blogging Skills for Bigger and Better Things.” Clearly, Deborah Ng is knowledgeable about the topic enabling her as a reliable source.

Overall, Freelance Writing Jobs is a site that is leading the blogger world. It has all the aspects that a successful blog calls for, a credible founder, intellectual insight, and a personable voice to relate to the viewers. It’s no wonder that this once small site has turned into a growing community of freelance writers.

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“Give me your tired, your poor,/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” – Emma Lazarus

The American Dream is a concept that is fed to the public from the time they step into school at the age of 5 to their last days of high school nearly 13 years later. Growing up, we are taught to believe that no matter how modest or humble ones beginnings, hard work and perseverance will lead to a successful life. New York City was once the embodiment of this dream. A city established because of its’ gross immigrant population, Manhattan welcomed each new face with the Statue of Liberty, and the promise of a future. Because Lady Liberty was a symbol of freedom she inspired immigrants to believe in the American Dream as well. “It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” (cite) At one point in time, New York City was the American Dream come to life, with neighborhoods such as Little Italy and Chinatown as clear examples of flourishing immigrant communities. Yet now, in a time when America is in a state of turmoil over the recent recession, alongside the ongoing War on Terror, the Statue of Liberty no longer carries that same message of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (Declaration).

The history behind the Statue of Liberty is rather reflective of its’ symbolic meaning in today’s context. During the American Revolution, France had given America the statue as a gift in acknowledgement of the friendship between the two countries. In other words, it was a physical representation of the bond the two shared. Even from the start the Statue promoted the idea of accepting other cultures in to American society. “Over the years, the meanings of the Statue have grown until she has become an international icon of freedom and liberty, the most recognizable symbol of democracy in the world.” (http://www.nps.gov/stli/historyculture/stories.htm) Lady Liberty proudly can call Manhattan home as well. Not only was the city founded by immigrants, but the 40% of the population in New York City is made of immigrants today (http://censtats.census.gov/data/NY/04036.pdf). There is still a strong presence of multicultural people in Manhattan. Clearly, time has not altered the essence of what Lady Liberty truly represents.

Manhattan had once provided sanctuary for people across the world. Every ethnic group would escape to New York for their own reasons, whether to flee their home country, seek asylum, or run from religious prosecution. New York was notorious for the rags-to-riches stories, and the romanticized versions of immigrant life in America. Visions of prosperity were no longer unreachable; instead the highest rung of the social ladder was attainable for anyone who possessed the drive. Fast forward to the present, it is apparent that these notions of the American Dream are dim in comparison to current times. Whereas the Statue of Liberty had once opened her arms to everyone, now she seems to turn her head and give a blind eye to the people seeking refuge and a place to call home.

People are often times deceived about the reality of immigration today. In Denied, Detained, Deported: Stories from the Dark Side of American Immigration, Hazel Rochman composes a series of heartfelt images illustrating the immigrant experience, as she begs this question of her readers, “does our nation, built by immigrants, have room for more newcomers?” Though the answer is clear through her chosen images, the American Dream is lost in Manhattan. The photo-essay begins with a photo of the Statue of Liberty “with Emma Lazarus’ famous inscription ‘Give me your tired, your poor,/Your huddled masses’; opposite is a contemporary poem by Naomi Shihab Nye ‘But not too tired, not too poor /And we will give you …the stares / that say you are not where or what you should be’.” (Rochman) In other words, it seems as though the criteria that once allowed all to venture into this country through our great city, has now become selective. Her suggestion to this idea that America, and the Statue of Liberty, is no longer welcoming our international counterparts are not far from the truth.

This snobbery toward immigrants arriving New York City is not such a new concept. Immigration may have always been a touchy topic for New Yorkers and Americans alike. However, only in trying times do they often get voiced out. Sentiments of hostility only grow toward the immigrant population as Americans are losing jobs and opportunities for new ones, they feel, are being either outsourced or given to some one of ethnic descent. Moreover, along with the lack of jobs, but the constant state of fear and paranoia that New Yorkers have to live in due to the War or Terror, sparked by the events on September 11. Anti-Arab attitudes have sprouted because of this. All in all, immigrants do not need to understand the language in order to take a hint.

In the article “Bring Us Your Tired, Your Poor. Or Don’t.” by Edward T. O’Donnell, he suggests that New York has always been centered on the so-called “natives.” “We have grown so accustomed to thinking of New York as a multicultural mecca, it seems inconceivable that for a century, the city was home to — and often the spawning grounds for — a vibrant, and often vicious, nativist tradition.” (O’Donnell) Through the course of Manhattan’s history, movements against immigrants have been started. Fights, riots, and protests occurred all to prevent the immigrants from entering at all. They felt the presence of these immigrants threatened the current liberties that the people already had, and didn’t want to compromise this for a new round of people. Whether or not this holds any truth, it is clear to see that when difficult times arise, it is easier to turn towards a supposed outsider, and directs the blame towards them.

Similar negative responses to immigration are now being seen among New Yorkers as well. Indicated by the growing number of Immigration laws, set to stop immigrants from coming into our country, have left our foreign counterparts feeling unwelcome as Lady Liberty slams the door to opportunity in their faces. Though a completely different era, the same reasons that O’Donnell had presented are the reasons why New Yorkers have become wary of welcoming new faces to the mixture.

“America’s immigration system is broken and any solution will require bipartisan action by the Congress to reform our nation’s immigration laws. America will be strengthened with a rational and sensible approach toward this issue. Finding resolution in a strict “enforcement only” approach will not settle the issue wisely and adherence to a fractured, existing “rule of law” will not allow us to confront reality. Those approaches, which do not recognize market realities and labor demands, are doomed to failure. We must move beyond the rhetoric on immigration and most importantly, we have an obligation to know the facts.” (Senate Judiciary)

The rapid decline in the American economy has left thousands of people jobless, and just as many homeless. The concern is no longer how to expand our country through a plethora of cultural diversity, but rather the focus is how to save our slowly decaying economy. Therefore, the task of preserving the American Dream has been set aside.

Manhattan, one of America’s most populated city representing a spectrum of nations, home of the Statue of Liberty, the symbol known worldwide for freedom and social mobility, and the essence of what it means to fulfill the American Dream, has long since lost that message. As we turn our heads to newcomers, it slowly shatters the ideals that this country was built on. Immigrants are the foundation of America, and the heartbeat of New York City. As immigration laws become stricter left and right, as a public we too cannot turn a blind eye or we in turn will be the wretched Emma Lazarus refers to. “…The wretched refuse of your teeming shore./Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me./I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

Works Cited

Declaration of Independence. 30 April 2009 <http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/index.htm>

O’Donnell, Edward. T. “Bring Us Your Tired, Your Poor. Or Don’t.” The New York Times. 7 May 2006. p4.

Rochman, Hazel. “Denied, Detained, Deported: Stories from the Dark Side of American Immigration” National Geographic. 105.16 (2009):

“Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security and Citizenship Hearing – ‘Date Change—Comprehensive Immigration Reform in 2009, Can We Do It and How?’” Congressional Documents and Publications. 30 April 2009.

     San Francisco, California has the Golden Gate Bridge.  Keystone, South Dakota has Mount Rushmore.  Williams, Arizona has the Grand Canyon.  Yet there is no other place in the United States that can compare to New York, New York. Instead, it could be its own landmark. When asked what is a person, place or thing that is quintessentially New York, one can only draw a blank.  There is not one single thing that clearly defines this city; it is the conglomeration of an array of cultures.  This amount of diversity is what allows New York to offer the variety that it does and what characterizes the city. From the people, to the food, and entertainment New York City’s diversity is what sets it apart from any other American City.

            One cannot deny that New York truly is a melting pot.  Looking at the faces that live in New York, everything truly isn’t just white or black.  With people originating from countries such as Argentina, Bangladesh, and China to Wales, Yemen, and Zimbabwe, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that each country may hold at least one representative in Manhattan. In New York’s history, when people would come over by boat, the statue of liberty would welcome the new faces.  Lady Liberty was the symbol of freedom for immigrants.  Although the city around her has greatly changed, she continues to stand strong to give these newcomers hope.  So, people keep on settling down in the city giving a fresh new taste.

            The vast cultures that are represented in the city are what offers a range of cuisine its’ people can enjoy.  Yes, New York is most known for its everyday staples: there is nothing  that compare itself to New York Pizza, and the average New Yorker starts his/her day with a good ol’ cup-a-Joe. That’s because in New York City it’s easy to find an affordable pizza shop and one need not look too hard to uncover a Starbucks lurking around the corner.  However that same concept can be applied to the various types of food and the various venues in New York City.

            Grease truck lines some streets giving people the opportunity to have instant gratification for their insatiable thirst.  Some trucks are ethnic, offering hungry patrons’ Hal-al food, some type of meat along with rice and vegetables, or other trucks are selling American favorites, like pretzels, or hot dogs.  When more time can be given to the daily lunch hour there are small cafes and delis that don’t hit the wallet too hard, while providing a New Yorker with enough food to keep them satisfied.  As dinner nears, the options multiply.  One can head over to another chain restaurant in Times Square such as Applebee’s or Olive Garden, or find a restaurant that specializes in a certain cuisine that can only call New York home.

            Stepping aside from food, New York is just as well known for its entertainment.  Not only does New York hold several large theaters’ that are off and on Broadway, but also, New York is home to many small movie theaters as well.  Because not all of its’ residences have the money to afford to go to these outlets of entertainment, it’s easy to find free show being put on in Bryant Park or  at times, in Central Park.  The City itself often hosts “shows” of its’ own when it shuts down streets to hold a parade.  During Thanksgiving there is Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade but also the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Puerto Rican Day Parade, and St. Genaro’s Parade are a few of the more popular ones.

            There is clearly an endless degree of diversity in New York City. This can be reflected in the citizens and their day to day activities which embodies the city as a whole.  Each culture has something to offer the growing variety that makes up New York City and is not hesitant to add its’ own flavor to the mix.  As people continue to come to this island, then New York City will flourish with diversity and variety, a trait that is truly unlike any city and quintessentially New York.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/jwMj3PJDxuo" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

To accompany my essay, I found this video among the several that Improve Everywhere posts up on their youtube site to be intriguing.  They truly stir up the normal daily lives of these New Yorkers, causing them to pause, for once, from their set path.

“One belongs to New York instantly; one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.” – Thomas Wolfe

        Grand Central Terminal is the embodiment of what is truly New York.  It flourishes with personality giving it a life of its’ own, yet representing New York all at once.  At Grand Central the Metro North Trains pull in before the sun even hits the sky, while underground the subways have been running all night. The escalators are programmed to only run upwards in the morning; in anticipation of the traffic about occur.  Each kiosk begins to open up, light illuminating every window display.  Downstairs waiters take down chairs and tables, and then set up for the stream of people about to appear for the breakfast, then lunch rush. The MTA staff awaits and anticipates the swarm of people ready to arrive and leave the city. While Grand Central boasts shops, hidden troves, restaurants, and the entrance to the city, the people that leave their footprints are what makes the journey each day a new adventure, giving Grand Central its own identity.

            Within the past few weeks, I have taken the time to walk through Grand Central.  I took in the sights, and the breath taking architecture that is difficult to ignore.  The stores that line the hallway are not your average mass production stores, rather small, unique, and set apart from what the big city has to offer. Until I realized that these structures and stores are not what allow Grand Central to take on a life of its own.  As I walked past numerous people something occurred to me, that it is in fact these same people that make Grand Central distinct.  It is the energy of the different people that walk through this mini-neighborhood every day without fail.

            The first swarms of people to arrive are the business men and women.  They flow out of each track by the hundreds.  The men are typically dressed in floor length black trench coats and their brief cases handy, striding past in their shiny leather shoes. On the other hand, women have their stockings peeking through from underneath their skirts, though there are dressed as if ready to walk the runway, they are sporting sneakers—their heels in one hand, purse on the opposite shoulder.  Silently both groups of people pulse their way through, words are unnecessary because their motives are clear: to enter Grand Central and then exit only returning on their lunch hour to enjoy a meal alone, or with some one from the office.  Grand Central slowly becomes their home away from home; the vital places in their lives include home, work and Grand Central.

            The next sets of people to arrive are the families and field trips.  Parents pushing strollers out of the center of the isle to avoid blocking anyone’s path becomes typical and other moms and dads dragging their tearful two-year-old to the side by their wrist.  Unlike the school field trip children who sit in circles on the floor ready to buddy up before they embark on their adventure into the city.  The kids are dressed in matching attire, adorning their school in one way or another, while a frantic teacher counts and recounts heads. The city, as well as Grand Central, is not truly complete without the fresh minds ready to provide a new perspective.       

            The people that never really walk through, but aimlessly wander around Grand Central are the bums.  While sad to say that life has had to be so cruel to leave them homeless, their new roof is Grand Central.  At the very least, they have some shelter to look forward to.  Usually older people can be seen digging through the trash in search of their next meal.   The most recent addition that I’ve walked by has been the war veteran who has lost his legs.  Living up to their true potential, New Yorkers do not turn a blind eye, instead searching through their bags for change, giving these people hope to return the next day.

            Lastly, it’s easy to pick out a tourist in the Grand Central crowd, not because they are usually in the way, but rather they are the ones who get appreciate the sights that tend to become a blur in the peripheral vision.  Standing with their faces toward the ceiling, they admire what many fall short of even noticing.  Whereas on any other day, at any other time, it would be common, almost expected, to look up at what has stopped these people dead in their tracks, in New York City where time is money, these tourists become statues—familiar landmarks—to look for and avoid when walking through Grand Central.

            Walking through Grand Central Terminal is part of my routine as well.  From Monday through Thursday, I only see what’s in between the Metro North trains and the MTA subway.  It is on a rare occasion that I find myself stepping out of the chosen route I have set up; those times are still only to grab a quick bite at whichever little stand is more convenient—basically the closest one to my terminal. 

            At first I wasn’t sure where to place myself among these people.  Am I a New Yorker too? I seem so out of place from the ordinary businessperson, yet would not consider myself to be a tourist.  Because I currently live in New Rochelle, a suburb on the outskirts of the city, that is what I have found myself identifying with.  Yet, I too have found myself succumbing to the routine of the nine-to-five commuter, so I have found puts me as well as them into the category of, simply put, a New Yorker.

            Grand Central can be seen as the heart of New York City.  People come and go keeping this city alive with personality and energy.  Though their destinations may vary, these people all share the same journey through New York’s entrance.  Without ever occurring to them, they are what give Grand Central an identity due to their own endeavors.  I find myself among this flow of people, knowing that my own identity is not lost in the crowd, rather enhanced by the beauty of the city’s life.