Reading the City Essay Example

'Great expectations' embodies the notion of foreseeing a vision of a better way and perusing this with a newfound passion and aggression. We are positioned to witness Pip's encapsulation with a more affluent society, as he can smell a lifestyle so foreign to that by which he was raised. Dickens explores the power the city contains to penetrate ones soul "Like a destructive missile" (p. 120) and "scatter(De) wits" (p. 20) through giving PIP villous to a different way of life. Pip's infatuation with prosperity and success is a product of he contrasting way of life he desires to the simple one he was raised by in Kent. In his novel, Dickens explores Pips passion for opulence whilst casting a shadow over this desire through imagery of "Moths, and all sorts of ugly creates" (p. 283). Mr.. Jaegers embodies this notion as advises Pip "have some new clothes come in... And they should not be working clothes" (p. 128) seemingly separating Pip and his upbringing as Dickens exploring the division of class though money.

The division of society highlighted from Pips desire to 'become uncommon' brings to surface the ewer the city contains In distinguishing oneself from their shallow past and the desire of an enriched future the realization of his own ambitions could provide. This sense of galling self-fulfillment through ambition Is accentuated through Mascots Hierarchy of Needs theory. As discussed by Bob Piston, a specific human need Is In self-actualization "an individual direct(inning) his or her focus toward a true actualities are focused on what matters most in defining who they are" (2009: 352) which indeed appears to be evident in Pip.

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incredible diversity the city contains allows one to discover facets about themselves through identification with others. This notion is explored through John Morrison 'The compound' where a man lost in translation finds sanctuary and a sense of comradely through the "fair dinked warfare" (p. 5) masses. The protagonist finds a sense of belonging in "the crowd" (p. 6) where a feeling of community is born through mental and physical identification with others bounded within the confined nature of the compound.

It becomes evident the restrictions of his habitat leads to new found sense of worth, as he realizes how to main a sense of achievement when pondering "Wasn't it Jack London who said he's hate to have been born a rich man, because rich men miss all the thrills of earning a living? " (p. 6). Notably, Morrison explores the city providing the subject with great self-actualization as his "inhibitions leave" him as it is "impossible to be shy' in the "payday(s) market of human flesh and blood" (p. 6).

This promotes the perspective that the sense of purpose discovered in the city can allow one to rid themselves of their fears and embrace a passionate zest for their work ethic. The city can also enhance nest sense of creativity and imagination leading to an enhanced sense of understanding both the culture they are surrounded by and their position within society. Virginia Wolf's 'Street haunting, a London adventure' provides a unique and detailed perspective into the city through interaction predominately with her surroundings rather than others.

Wolf's extensive imagery captures the narrator's encapsulation with the city as she captures snapshots of the exact moment she

observes it, such as the flowers "burning" (p. 20) in the window whilst the women try on shoes with the blind men on the street. These visually stimulating descriptions lead us to understand how the narrator finds beauty and meaning through the observation of city life in London. Whilst the narrator does not get overly sentimental about the city, she obtains a certain admiration to those who walk the same paths.

Wolf describes her fellow "haunters" as "men and women, who, for all their poverty and shabbiness, wear a certain look of unreality' (p. 21). This, in contrast to Pip in Dickens 'Great Expectations" who perceives wealth as a sign of pride, suggests that the air of London instills within it "an air of triumph" (p. 6) however working class it's inhabitants may be. Wolf seemingly glorifies the city without shielding the reader from reality, but rather finding beauty in the simplicity of the hardship that epitomized London during this era.

The beauty the narrator finds in the city creates the idea that one can gain a sense of belonging and visual stimulus through taking a moment to notice the environment that creates a cities culture. This notion of Wolfs character achieving self-actualization through apparent isolation is enhanced in Kenneth Schmidt 'Alienation enormousness, isolation and estrangement'. Schmidt notes "Not all social isolation must be conceived negatively' as it is suggested "positive isolation could provide an opportunity for spiritual reflection and change in self concept" (2012:14) which indeed appears to be relevant in the narrator's observations.

Contrarily, the city can present a feeling of segregation and isolation for those who do not develop and intimate connection

with its soul. William Flake's 'London' exemplifies this notion as he "wander(s)" through the "chartered" (l. 1) streets working class sections of society. In stark contrast to the glorification of the common society Wolf depicts, Blake rejects the notion of a beautiful society and magnifies the misery and oppression where children "cry in fear" (l. 6) and every other being represents "weakness" (l. ). A clear connotation of power and money contributes to Flake's alienation from society, made evident when comparing two different representations: a chemosynthesis and a soldier. Both are archetypal which represents the most dominant institutions of the time, monarchy and the church, leading to the suffering of the city which clearly suggest the manipulation of society through power. Blake continues with the theme of negative connotations through implementing the term "harlot" (l. 14) suggesting a "curse" (l. 14).

This can be interpreted as something that not only destroys life (as with syphilis which is also referenced to) but society as a whole, contributing to the notion of the author's estrangement from the City and denomination of its culture. Ultimately it is how we embrace the culture of the city that determines our interaction with its meaning and opportunities. Cities contain the power to enhance ones creativity and imagination whilst contrarily evaporating this element of oneself and evoke dark and dreary imagery.

The texts and sources explored confide by the notion that two separate observation of an identical scenario can lead to incredibly divergent perspectives, and it our own passions and desires that fuel our ability to achieve self- enhancement, or be alienated from ourselves and society.