Reading Response

Name:

Tutor:

Course:

Date:

Reading Response

September 17, 2013

Dear (tutor),

The Urban Wilderness by Sam Warner details the history of America. The author addresses the causes and effects of economic and social tribulations faced by the inhabitants of the United States in the 1990s (Warner 20). Based on my perception, the citizens of America can relate to this piece of literature because the historical aspects of the nation affect the present state of affairs. As citizens of the United States, I believe that we ought to understand our history in order to strengthen our present, as well as establish a solid future for the subsequent generations. With the urban centers housing a large percentage of the citizens, it is crucial to appreciate the factors that have promoted or discouraged proper living standards in these areas.

The issues discussed in this informative novel have aided me in comprehending the journey towards urbanization in different regions of the country. This is because the author has documented the failed and successful tactics with reference to such urban centers as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago (Warner 34). Based on the information provided in this manuscript regarding problems in housing and healthcare facilities, I have a more appreciative attitude about the diversity of cultural backgrounds in America. I now realize the hard work involved in attainment of the present public amenities in the urban centers.

Likewise, Women, Children, and the Uses of the Streets is a work of fiction that focuses its account on the city of New York. Although the metropolis comprises of various architectural sceneries, women and children are subject to marginalization (Christine 12). Children as young as five years have to work in order to aid their parents in the struggle of life. With most of these children having irresponsible fathers, their mothers turn to prostitution as the main tactic of sustaining their families. This narrative has offered me a platform to comprehend the various problems affecting the inhabitants of New York City.

Through the details of this literature piece, I now appreciate the wide gap between the poor citizens and those in the middle social class. The stereotypes promoted by the general populace are somewhat to blame for this financial and social inequality. The public hardly campaigns against child labor in the context of poor families. They believe that these minors have to work in order to help their parents (Christine 21). According to them, the family fiscal predicaments justify the denial of their rights. Through the setting of this work of fiction, I can relate to the issues discussed by the author. Child labor and prostitution are familiar aspects, although most of us are quick to judge these individuals without taking the time to reflect on the problems propelling them to engage in such deeds.

Similar to the other two novels, The Centrality of the Horse in the 19^th Century City is an educative manuscript that bases its account on the history of urban centers in the United States. By describing the urbanization process, McShane and Joel analyze the stages of development with reference to transportation means. Although these writers explore such transportation modes as automobiles and pedestrians, they focus on the horse-driven carriages (McShane and Joel 46). This passage is a vital piece that offers the inhabitants of America a detailed record of urbanization.

I can relate to this literature piece based on its setting. To start with, these talented authors base their story in a metropolitan area. By terming the horses as living machines, the novel attracted my attention (McShane and Joel 49). I did not just read it as an interesting manuscript but rather as an informative text that corresponds to the present urban centers in the nation. This text should remind us of the past efforts towards regional development in order to appreciate the present progress, and identify aspects that can impel the nation towards higher advancement levels. Based on my analysis of the three novels, urban areas have a detailed history comprising of negative and positive features.

Sincerely,

(name)

Works Cited

Christine, Stansell. Women, Children, and the Uses of the Streets: Class and Gender Conflicts in New York City, 1850-1860. Ann Arbor, MI: MPublishing, University of Michigan Library, n.d. Print.

McShane, Clay, and Joel A. Tarr. The Horse in the City: Living Machines in the Nineteenth Century. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007. Print.

Warner, Sam B. The Urban Wilderness: A History of the American City. Berkeley: Univ. of California Press, 1995. Print.