Building a city with words. Multi-perspective storybuilding in Colson Whitehead's "The Colossus of New York"

Essay , 2018 , 6 Pages , Grade: 1,7

English Language and Literature Studies - Literature

One might consist that there are as many different versions of New York, as there are people who have laid eyes upon its steel pillars. Some focus more on the promising varieties, while others rather pay attention to the desperate, violent side of the city that lurks underneath the shiny surface of “post-card perfect America”. But if one searches close enough, there is always a unifying commonality that links “the subjective perceptions of the countless people who experience it”.

This unifying identity to a variety of collective phenomena, then, is probably what forms the keel and backbone of Colson Whitehead’s “The Colossus of New York”. In his introductory essay “City Limits”, which sets the tone for the entire collection, he writes that the city is full of people, “each haunting the streets of his or her own New York, not one of them seeing the same thing”. But even though there are so many different ways to experience the city, that it becomes almost impossible to describe how a single being might observe the city, he sets out to bring as many different approaches to reality together as possible. By combining numerous subjective viewpoints and assessments, he manages to illuminate the city in all its dazzling diversity.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• City Limits
• Subway
• The Subway
• The Streets
• Bus Ride
• Walking
• The View from the Top
• The View from Below
• The World Below
• Buildings
• The Bridge
• The River
• The Park
• The Island
• The City

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This collection of essays aims to explore the multifaceted nature of New York City through the lens of subjective experiences and perspectives. It delves into the individual perceptions of the city, highlighting how diverse realities and interpretations shape the urban experience.

• The subjectivity of urban experience
• The impact of individual memories and emotions on our understanding of the city
• The role of place in shaping human behavior and actions
• The collective consciousness of New York City
• The transformative nature of the city and its impact on personal identity

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• In "City Limits," Colson Whitehead introduces the concept of a subjective New York, emphasizing that each individual experiences the city differently, forming their own unique perception.
• "Subway" and "The Subway" explore the influence of public transportation on human behavior, demonstrating how the city's infrastructure shapes our daily routines and interactions.
• "The Streets," "Bus Ride," and "Walking" offer varied perspectives on the city's streets, showcasing their diverse character and the unique experiences they offer.
• The chapters titled "The View from the Top," "The View from Below," and "The World Below" provide contrasting perspectives on the city's visual landscape, emphasizing the impact of location on our perceptions.
• "Buildings," "The Bridge," "The River," "The Park," "The Island," and "The City" explore specific locations within New York, highlighting their unique features and the ways in which they contribute to the overall urban experience.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary keywords and focus topics include subjective urban experience, collective consciousness, individual perceptions, city as a symbol, New York City, urban space, personal memories, place, identity, and postmodern self.

• College: University of Frankfurt (Main)
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Ann-Kathrin Latter (Author)
• Publication Year: 2018
• Pages: 6
• Catalog Number: V424853
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668720534
• ISBN (Book): 9783668720541
• Language: English
• Tags: colson whitehead, modern literature, colossus of new york