Study Notes for E. B. White's "Here Is New York"

Overview of "Here Is New York" by E. B. White (1949)

E. B. White's 1949 essay, "Here Is New York," stands as one of the most quoted works regarding New York City. Commissioned by Roger Angell for Holiday magazine, White infused his writing with a love for the city expressed in a fairy tale style. He drew an analogy stating, "New York is to the nation what the white church is to the village--the visible symbol of aspiration and faith, the white plume saying the way is up." However, he contrasted this imagery with a harrowing foreboding, illustrating how a simple event, such as a flight of planes, could swiftly lead to devastation—echoing prophetic significance in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks when the World Trade Center was destroyed. He claimed, "A single flight of planes… can quickly end this island fantasy, burn the towers, crumble the bridges, turn the underground passages into lethal chambers, cremate millions." Furthermore, White emphasized that although New York is not a national capital or state capital, it is in transition to being "the capital of the world."

E. B. White's Background

E. B. White was born in 1899 in Mount Vernon, New York, and graduated from Cornell University in 1921, where he also served as the editor of the student newspaper. In 1925, he joined The New Yorker magazine, contributing to its columns such as "Talk of the Town" and "Notes and Comment" in collaboration with James Thurber from 1926 to 1938. Following 1938, he relocated to his farm in Maine, although he continued to visit New York frequently. From his home in North Brooklyn, he authored two notable children's books: "Stuart Little" (1945) and "Charlotte's Web" (1952). During his lifetime, White received a Special Pulitzer Prize (1978), the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1963), and was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters (1973).

Gifts of New York City

White articulated several "gifts" that New York offers its citizens, particularly those in its urban core. He remarked, "any person who desires such queer prizes, New York will bestow the gift of loneliness and the gift of privacy." He suggested that these gifts are part of the reason for the diversity of the city’s inhabitants, who often descend from various origins, seeking solace, aspiration, or fulfillment. This paradox surrounding the city's capacity to either enhance or destroy an individual is highlighted—"The capacity to make such dubious gifts is a mysterious quality of New York. It can destroy an individual, or it can fulfill him, depending a good deal on luck. No one should come to New York to live unless he is willing to be lucky."

The Essence of New York

White portrays New York as a microcosm of art, commerce, sports, religion, entertainment, and finance, presenting a unique concentration of varied life experiences within a single urban environment. He reflects on his present location, describing a stifling hotel room while drawing connections to significant historical events and figures within a mere few blocks. He succinctly illustrates the city’s rich history and prominent figures, mentioning locations tied to Rudolph Valentino, Nathan Hale, Ernest Hemingway, and others, evoking a deep sense of interconnectedness within the urban landscape.

Connection versus Isolation

An essential theme in White's essay is the juxtaposition of connection and isolation that characterizes life in the city. While he experienced the proximity of significant figures like Fred Stone—a noted actor from The Wizard of Oz—he also describes how such connections are tenuous and fragile. White mentions, "the eighteen inches were both the connection and the separation that New York provides for its inhabitants," emphasizing how close physical proximity doesn't always translate to meaningful relationships. He describes the unique blend of privacy and the thrill of urban participation that New York achieves, noting that the tumultuous events within the city often occur without overwhelming every individual resident:

Events and their Detachment

White recalls various violent and notable occurrences happening in the city during his stay, such as shootings and grand air shows. He reflects that these events often go unacknowledged by the general populace, drawing a contrast between broader public knowledge and individual experiences:
"A man shot and killed his wife in a fit of jealousy… I did not attend." Through this, he illustrates that living in New York is somewhat insulated; each denizen's experience is unique and elective which may not involve the visceral results of a city's tumult. In many cities, residents experience events as unavoidable; in New York, every experience is largely a choice.

The Individual Experience of City Life

White mentions that ideally, living in New York allows individuals to maintain a sense of individualism amidst chaos. Acknowledging the vibrant potential that the city offers, White also posits that it can weaken individuals as voice drowned out by the urban clamor. He suggests improvement through exposing oneself to the varied avenues for personal enrichment and creative endeavors that New York provides. However, he openly notes that some individuals may come seeking protection or refuge from their past, emphasizing the city as a refuge from the trials of smaller communities.

The Many Faces of New York

White divides New York into three distinct identities: First, there's the native New Yorker, who assumes the city as a birthright and becomes blind to its scope. Next, he discusses the commuter—a transient being that travels daily into the city but often misses its deeper experiences. Finally, White underscores the persistent settler; those who journey to New York with the intent of making it home, charged with an adventurer’s spirit—giving the city its vibrant energy. He writes:
"Of these three trembling cities the greatest is the last—the city of final destination, the city that is a goal."

The Poetical Nature of New York

Drawing a poetic analogy between the experience of living in New York and poetry, White captures the essence of the city: a compressed marvel of human life inscribed within a small geography. He declares Manhattan to be the greatest human concentrate on earth, akin to poetry—magnifying diversity within a finite space that adds rhythm and vibrancy to daily existence.

The Beauty of Opposites

Within New York, stark contrasts exist, such as opulent skyscrapers overshadowing dilapidated slums, or the glamorous life of the wealthy merely streets away from those in dire economic straits. White highlights how the city can have these disparate elements coexist yet remain largely oblivious to each other, causing a sense of solitude among the inhabitants.

Architectural Reflection

White reflects on the architectural advancements and changes across the city over the years, pointing out how the Empire State Building epitomizes New York's aspiration towards the heavens even during its most trying times: "It even managed to reach the highest point in the sky at the lowest moment of the depression." This exemplifies not only resilience but also ambition intrinsically linked with the city's identity.

Challenges of Urban Life

Through his vivid descriptions, White illustrates the implausibility of New York functioning amidst its dense population, highlighting logistical concerns such as water supply and waste management. No matter the challenges, New Yorkers adapt and navigate through the cacophony and often immense pressures of urban living. He presents a paradox where despite discomforts and constant inadequacies, the city continues to allure with a sense of belonging to something powerful, extraordinary, and unparalleled.

Tourist Experience versus Resident Reality

White contrasts the experiences of tourists who flock to iconic sites, with residents who often overlook them. The oft-used phrase encapsulating the urban experience is cited: "It's a wonderful place, but I'd hate to live there," reiterating a sentiment of both enchantment and aversion felt by those from small towns encountering the vastness of New York City. White goes on to clarify how the city is a composite of numerous neighborhoods which are self-sufficient; each forms a micro-community providing essential services within a few blocks.

Transience versus Community

In his exploration of New York as a transient resident, White savors the unique solitude and reflection offered during summer months when the city’s rhythms are easier to navigate. He recalls how early experiences in the city were filled with magic and connection to the literary giants he admired, creating an exhilarating, charged atmosphere filled with potential. However, despite intoxicating excitement, the ever-changing nature of the city has led to noticeable alterations in its infrastructure, landmarks, and overall character over the years.

Inevitable Transition and Change

As White observes, the New York of his youth has changed significantly; the elevated railways have disappeared, and signs of commercialization have transformed Broadway. The changes have many lamenting the absence of the vibrancy that once characterized the iconic locations. For instance, the transition of the library’s design being overshadowed by the noise and chaos of modernity is cited as a loss. Existing slums succumb to housing projects, reflecting ongoing shifts in demographics and urban planning. However, the city’s fundamental vitality remains a constant.

Conclusion

The essay culminates in a poignant reflection that while the essence of New York continues to transform, and it has gained an awareness of impending destruction, it also remains the epitome of hope for utopia where divergent worlds can coexist yet remain apart. New York, despite its struggles and boundaries, symbolizes resilience, diversity, and an unquenchable spirit. White’s reflections are inexorably tied to the city's indomitable character: a blend of beauty and chaos, aspiration and desolation, constantly seeking the light.