New York City is a Living Organism

I want to potentially use these videos to prompt the discussion that Harrison and I are leading on Friday. One thing in the reading that keeps catching my eye is the meticulous details the author works in about the city itself. The geography and feel of the neighborhoods and buildings -- how they fit in and around one another. All of these clips are from the 1998 documentary The Cruise, which follows eccentric NYC tour guide Timothy "Speed" Levitch through the city he loves so much. While he doesn't focus on Harlem specifically at any point (his tours generally cover midtown/downtown) what he has to say about Manhattan is significant and poignant. Here are some of his thoughts:


"New York City is a Living Organism"
What he says is somewhat bizarre, yes, but the idea he conveys that I want to get at is the life within the city. Himes writes about Harlem as a city in itself, and uses a number of appositives, adjectives, etc. to describe it, always as something shifting, something dark and writhing, something very much alive.


"Civilization"


"The Grid Plan"

Reading Schedule

Each of you will lead discussion twice during the trimester. Make sure to come to class prepared with questions, quotations, and points of comparison. This will be part of your grade. Talk to me if you have questions. 

12/8   Read through Chapter 3 Mrs. Robertson

12/9 Read through Chapter 6 Alex and Lizzie lead discussion

12/10 Read through Chapter 8 Harrison and Anna lead discussion

12/12 Read through chapter 11 Michael and Robert lead discussion

12/15 Read through Chapter 14 Claire and Erin lead discussion

12/16  Read in class and try to finish the novel for tomorrow.

12/17   Have a happy Holiday Mrs. Robertson