When reflecting upon New York City, what comes to mind is a thriving superpower overflowing with opportunity, and sky-high success. New York is incomparable to any city in the world, on a large scale or small. It has a radiating vitality, and boasts a confident air. Its fortitude is manifested through its inhabitants as well as its infrastructure. In every way, New York City transcends dominance. But this very dominance, this driving force and “omnipotence”, is the same quality that makes New York so vulnerable.
While meditating upon the city’s greatness, I think that our greatest strength is dually our greatest and most imminent weakness. Fifty-two years before New York’s defining tragedy, E.B. White saw New York for what is was, in both positive and negative light. His prophetic writings demonstrate his analytical ability, and his adeptness to see past the blinding glamour and straight into our biggest flaw.
“…The city, for the first time in its long history, is destructible. A single flight of planes no bigger than a wedge of geese can quickly end this island fantasy…” This excerpt from White’s essay clearly defines New York’s susceptibility. The manner in which E.B. White words this quote is the key in understanding its significance. He states that for the first time New York is destructible. If the city has become destructible, this infers that it previously was not. What has changed about New York that has made it more vulnerable? It has strengthened, and with this increased power comes a certain arrogance and feeling of invincibility. When a city as a whole reaches the point where they feel that they are unconquerable, they in turn let their guard down. White’s usage of the term “island fantasy” is used to show that as New Yorkers we were in fact living in a fantasy. Not until the horrific events of September 11th, 2001 did we realize that we are not as invincible as we thought we were. When reading White’s quote, it seems as if he were writing in retrospect, but he is in fact highlighting the inevitable. His references to “the towers” and “flight of planes” may have just been coincidence, but the nature of his writings was not. He acknowledged the significance of the target New York has become, and the lack of attention we have paid to this development.
“All dwellers in cities must live with the stubborn fact of annihilation; in New York the fact is somewhat more concentrated because of the concentration of the city itself, and because, of all targets, New York has a certain clear priority. In the mind of whatever perverted dreamer might loose the lighting, New York must hold a steady, irresistible charm.”
E.B. White’s observations are not to be viewed as pessimistic, rather as calculating and logical. As seen in the great ancient cities of Rome and Athens, whose inhabitants would have never thought they would be defeated, cities are naturally targets. White explores the various aspects of New York’s weaknesses, including its physical structure. Manhattan being a relatively small island has a huge concentration of people per square foot. As White states in his book, for lack of space New York City grew upwards physically and symbolically. This alone is grounds for increased susceptibility. This notion is seen in White’s quote that reads, “ A single flight of planes no bigger than a wedge of geese can quickly end this island fantasy, burn the towers, crumble the bridges, turn the underground passages into lethal chambers, cremate the millions.”. He is highlighting every notable physical aspect of New York City and showing how they can be used against us.
Furthermore, another factor in New York’s target potential is what the city symbolizes. Ever since its establishment, New York has been a place where immigrants come to build lives and take advantage of opportunities. The city continually sees a regular influx of all nationalities ready to take part in the American dream. It has always been a place where all citizens can actively participate in their success, and make a living for their families. New York has the greatest ports in the world, and has become an economic superpower. It is seen as the capital of the world, and the epitome of success. Our towering skyscrapers are beaming with pride and accomplishment. What New York symbolizes is grounds for envy from enemies, and wrongfully so.
E.B. White further explores the concept of the potential destructibility of New York. “The intimation of mortality is part of New York now; in the sounds of jets overhead, in the black headlines of the latest editions.” Through this quote one can imply that White sees the potential for destruction in all the places he frequents in New York City. In particular he names a setting that is familiar to him, referring to “headlines” and “late editions”. As E.B. White worked for The New Yorker, he is placing himself in the midst of the chaos. Throughout the book he seems to write from the perspective of an outsider looking in, but also shows a great connection being that he used to be a New Yorker. This makes his views all the more personal because he is not criticizing New York; he just perceives the facts of the matter in hopes bringing them to light.
E.B. White’s perceptions of the world around him were so accurate that it is in a way eerie to read back upon them. He was a true New Yorker in the sense that he appreciated and noticed every aspect of the city. New York is indeed a wonderful and incomparable city and even after attack remains a leading force as well as a unified one. Hopefully now that we have seen that our greatest force is also our greatest weakness we can work to improve this fine line.
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