Study Notes on "Here Is New York" by E. B. White

E. B. White's Essay "Here Is New York"

Overview

  • Published in 1949, E. B. White’s essay "Here Is New York" is one of the most quoted works about New York City.

  • Commissioned by Roger Angell for Holiday magazine, the essay expresses White's love for New York City in a fairy tale style.

Key Quotations and Themes

  • White describes New York as:

    • “…the nation what the white church is to the village--the visible symbol of aspiration and faith…”

  • He notes the potential for destruction, notably foreshadowing events akin to the September 11 attacks:

    • “A single flight of planes no bigger than a wedge of geese… can quickly end this island fantasy…”

  • Assertion that New York, while not an official capital, is on its way to becoming the capital of the world.

Biography of E. B. White

  • Born in 1899 in Mount Vernon, New York.

  • Graduated from Cornell University in 1921, where he edited the student newspaper.

  • Joined The New Yorker magazine in 1925, writing for "Talk of the Town" and "Notes and Comment."

  • Moved to Maine in 1938 but returned regularly to New York City.

  • Authored notable children’s books: Stuart Little (1945), Charlotte’s Web (1952).

  • Awarded:

    • Special Pulitzer Prize (1978).

    • Presidential Medal of Freedom (1963).

    • Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters (1973).

Gifts of New York City

  • White notes two distinct "gifts" offered by New York:

    • Loneliness: A gift inherent in city life which many residents endure.

    • Privacy: New Yorkers live closely together yet maintain an individual sense of privacy.

  • White emphasizes that the city's dual nature can destroy or fulfill individuals, often depending on luck.

  • The choice to live in New York should be accompanied by a willingness to accept the uncertainties of luck.

Compaction of Culture

  • New York presents a concentration of:

    • Art

    • Commerce

    • Sport

    • Religion

    • Entertainment

    • Finance

  • The city retains echoes of its past, affecting the present experience of its inhabitants.

Personal Reflections in New York

  • White provides a reflection of his surroundings, sitting in a hotel room in midtown, drawing connections to historical figures and events close by:

    • Notable references include:

    • Rudolph Valentino

    • Nathan Hale

    • Ernest Hemingway

    • Willa Cather

  • Illustrates a paradox of connection and separation—how close proximity can create intimate yet superficial encounters, as exemplified by his meeting with Fred Stone.

Isolation and Community

  • White discusses how New York offers a unique blend of involvement and solitude:

    • Incidents of crime and public events often go unnoticed, with individuals maintaining their chosen levels of engagement with the city.

  • In contrast to metropolises where events are inescapable, New York allows inhabitants to opt-in to experiences, promoting a freedom to conserve one’s psyche.

  • Events like the St. Patrick's Day parade are highlighted as exceptions that infiltrate every resident’s experience.

Critique of Urban Living

  • New Yorkers may be insulated from many of life’s disturbances, which complicates their individual resilience.

  • White explores the idea that while some seek comfort and security in the city, others may escape reality and become detached.

  • Suggests that despite the loneliness it can invoke, New York remains vibrant and empowering for many creators.

The Three New Yorks

  1. The Native New Yorker: Takes the city for granted as a natural part of life.

  2. The Commuter: Engages with the city only briefly, fundamentally missing the deeper vibrancy.

  3. The New Arrival: They arrive with hope and excitement, embodying the city’s artistic spirit and diverse culture.

  • White argues that the third group particularly fuels New York's passion, creativity, and cultural achievements.

The Commuter Experience

  • Commuters are often alien to the city experience, lacking familiarity with its rhythms.

  • They frequently miss key cultural and communal experiences, emphasizing the depth of disconnection from New York’s life.

  • The vast number of commuters actively reduces their engagement with the city’s layered existence.

New York as Poetry

  • White poetically relates New York to a poem, compressing life and experiences into a condensed space rich in meaning.

  • Manhattan is described as “the greatest human concentrate on earth,” juxtaposing its opulence with nearby poverty.

Comparison with Other Cities

  • White asserts that New York is unique when compared to cities like Paris and London:

    • New York's heights symbolize aspiration contrary to their grounded realities.

  • The growing towers represent collective hopes and ambitions of its inhabitants.

The City’s Complexity

  • New York is depicted as an implausible but functioning entity:

    • Presents a tangled underground system of utilities that prevent chaos from reigning all too easily.

  • The city's survival is viewed as miraculous against potential disasters including illness, chaos, and natural threats.

Change and Continuity in New York

  • Urban changes reflect broader social evolutions:

    • Decline of old mansions and rise of housing projects showcase shifting demographics.

    • The city experiences moments of both transformation and preservation, creating a continuous tension between old and new.

Existential Threats

  • Post-9/11 reflections reveal a new realization of vulnerability:

    • The possibility of destruction looms larger in the wake of acts of terrorism.

  • Contradictory roles of Liberty and Death showcase New York's new duality.

Final Reflection

  • White reflects on a symbolic willow tree in Turtle Bay:

    • Represents resilience, growth, and a need to preserve the city amidst challenges.

    • The plea to save the tree encapsulates a longing for the city’s enduring spirit and charm amidst existential threats.