Question:
E. B. White’s Here is New York was published in 1949. How has it dated? How would you update the book if you were writing Here is New York in 2014?
Writing New York: Posts from the Boroughs and Beyond
Department of Journalism, Baruch College, City University of New York
The biggest indication that it is dated is that no normal person today remembers things such as where Nathan Hale was executed, as they are too busy with their own lives to remember such trivia. Furthermore, no celebrity these days would bear the thought of being within 18 inches of normal people, and even if they did there would be a cloud of paparazzi around them.
If I were to update it, I would emphasize that people who live here tend to hate living here. It is a crowded cesspit of inefficiency, the pretentious, the over privileged, and more.
As the commenter stated, nobody in 2014 New York would actually know, let alone care about where and when a certain person was executed. Another part of the piece that makes it outdated was the predominantly European ethnicities in Manhattan. Nowadays, culture groups from all over the world can be seen throughout the borough.
In my updated version of Here is New York, I would mention the over abundance of Starbucks, Best Buys, and hotels owned by a certain delusional and balding real estate mogul. It would also be mentioned how much social networking has taken over the city, with signs in business begging customers to check in via Facebook, Twiiter, Instagram.
Until I read “Here is New York”, I never imagined the ice-coal-and-wood cellars, the old book elevators at the Public Library, and the pneumatic tubes existed in 1940s. These are obsolete and no longer used now.
If I would update the book in 2014, I will mention the tragic event of 9/11.
White’s speculation that “[a] single flight of planes no bigger than a wedge of geese can quickly end this island fantasy, burn the towers, crumble the bridges, turn the underground passages into lethal chambers, cremate the millions.”(p54) ominously realized fifty-three years later. Many innocent people perished in an instant, and their families mourned their loss of loved one’s. However, the island never lost its strength: New York persevered and overcame the difficult times, and it opened 9/11 memorial museum to honor the victims.
Furthermore, I would mention that nowadays many immigrants come from all over the world, not mainly from European countries like White argues. The immigration from Asian countries is on the rise, creating vibrant communities with different cultures. This applies to academic settings, too, where students from all over the world are coming to New York universities. In addition, not only American tourists but also tourists from all over the world flock to New York to enjoy the offerings of the world capital.
In terms of city neighborhoods, Harlem cannot be described anymore as White depicts it: “Harlem is a city itself, and being a city Harlem symbolizes segregation”(p.47) Now that gentrification is going on, the area’s demography is changing rapidly for better or worse.
White marveled at the speed of pneumatic tubes sending mail from Manhattan to Broooklyn in the 40’s. I would update the book to emphasize the change in communication and its benefits and dangers to social cohesion. People now use portable devices such as smartphones, iPads, and computers to connect with others since it is much faster and convenient compared with face-to-face communication. I see many people on roads emailing, texting, and calling instead of talking face-to face, which White could have never imagined.
Though many things have changed after the publication, the vibrant energy of New York would never change.
Here is New York by E.B. White
As a New York native it amazes me how relevant E.B.White’s Here is New York is considering it was written over a half century ago. E. B. White depicts the perfect balance that makes New York one of the most peculiar places in the world. He depicts this perfect balance from the very first line, “…New York will bestow the gift of loneliness and the gift of privacy.” It is interesting that his first words used to describe one of the largest and vibrant cities in the world are lonely and private. It is not uncommon for individuals to feel alone in such a big city like New York. Though a variety of cultures fill the city, people tend to form communities with individuals they share similarities with, causing some to potentially feel like an outsider. “The city is literally a composite of tens of thousands of tiny neighborhood units.” Though we are more assimilated then before, this notion still holds true even to this day as neighborhoods are primarily divided by race, ethnicity, religion, and social class.
Though many things are outdated about this book, such as the ice coal wood and cellars, I would not change anything about this text for several reasons. The physical structure of New York is always changing so it is impossible way to publish a 100% accurate depiction of what NYC is at the present moment. Also, I think it is important to understand the way New York used to be to note the progress we’ve made as a city so we can appreciate it even more. “To a New Yorker the city is both changeless and changing.” E.B. White’s Here is New York captures the timeless and vibrant essence of New York City that attracts so many people to this location.
In just a short collection of pages, E.B.White tells a sensational story of New York City and its neighborhoods. The tale was written almost 50 years ago but I still find many of his thoughts to be true today. Many references and places described in Here is New York are no longer there, but the essence of the city still lives on each page and with each word.
White begins his reminiscent reflection of New York with a memorable line: “On any person who desires such queer prizes, New York will bestow the gift of loneliness and the gift of privacy”. The city that he describes is full of luncheonettes, speakeasies and shoeshine boys, and while those characteristics may feel dated, his view about the city and it’s inhabitants stand just as true today as they did year ago. The city may have been less lavish and less built up during the time of White’s writing but many parts of it’s culture have continued to remain the same. I believe that White captures not only the attention grabbing beauty and pulse of New York City but he also captures the depth and frustration below the surface of many neighborhoods.
Towards the end of the book White describes the many changes of the city and one particular part is so relevant that it may cause many readers of today to gasp. He senses a “greater tension, increased irritability” that is still familiar to New Yorkers today. He also writes, “the city has never been so uncomfortable”. This comes down to the fear of destruction; New York has grown so large and so important that there will be many who want to destroy it. White’s prescience is eeerie for post 9/11 readers especially when he writes, “a single flight of planes no bigger than a wedge of geese can quickly end this island fantasy.”
E.B. White perfectly captures the people, sounds, sights and smells that make up summer in the city. Here is New York is a memorable piece and a great read to rediscover the city, seemingly ever in flux, is in many respects unchanged from five decades ago.
Here is New York by E.B. White is a story of an older New York that is very similar to the modern New York. Replace any of the names of the stores named to modern ones and the scene is practically still the same.
In the book White writes that the tallest plushiest offices lie the crummiest slims. This is still true today as the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. He wrote about it then saying that schools and hospitals are overcrowded and inadequate or underfunded as we know that they are today in 2014.
I think E.B. White captured New York’s exact lifestyle and although the times and names and faces are changed, the lifestyle is the same. The environment maybe have changed a little bit but not.
He captures the marvels as well as the faults of New York then and now. I would publish the book the same way he has except the names would be different and there would be a mention of the 1984-Orwellian police state that New York is in since September 11th, 2001.