1. What is your impression of the opening line of White’s book: “New York bestows gifts of loneliness and the gifts of privacy.” Do you agree or disagree with White? If so, why? If not, why not? How effective is the opening? What does it accomplish, if anything?

I agree with White because, as many New Yorkers can relate, there can be thousand of people surrounding you but at the same time feel so isolated from everyone. I’ve come to realize that everyone is busy with their own life and that’s why everyone is such in a rush. It’s funny and strange that most residents don’t even know they’re own neighbor, even if they lived there for over 10 years. New York can make you feel fulfilled yet alone. I believe the opening was very effective because it basically describes the life of a New Yorker in a nutshell. It accomplishes a sense of emotions and visual effect, in a way, that the reader might have when they first read the sentence.

2. How and why does the writer use lists in this book

The writer uses lists in his book because it actually helps the reader have visual effects of New York. When I was reading the lists and his description of New York, I felt like I was in the life of that individual walking just two blocks away and being in another world. It makes the reader feel involved in the life and surroundings of a New Yorker.