This novel by Christine Stansell depicted a world that drastically evolved over time. The author discussed how many groups of people fought through what was perceived as an abnormality back then to get to the society that we live in today. In the 1890s immigrants came to New York for many various reasons. They wanted an opportunity to live a different lifestyle, they were curious and wanted to matter.

One group of people that emerged around 1895 were homosexuals. These people weren’t thought to be manly or normal. The fact that a man enjoyed art as opposed to politics was unfamiliar and unfamiliar to society. Men were known to be strong and masculine. Homosexuals were not viewed in such a way. However; with time society became more accepting and today a majority of homosexuals live in Greenwich Village which was and still is associated with its sociable environment. Along with homosexuals Russians, Jews,  African Americans and Women left their mark in society. One way in which people were able to have a say in the world was through politics. This was one of the main reason that Russians migrated during the Russian Revolution. In this way, New York was an escape for them. In addition, woman such as Emma Goldman was brave enough to speak and write about crucial social issues. One of these issues was the limit/ban open speechifying law which limited people to speak openly about government and politics. Through the efforts Goldman’s hard work she was able to nationally address this issue along with many other issues as well.

Each immigrant saw New York as a chance to mean something in the world. Bohemia turned “outsiders into insiders.” In this way, Bohemia provided each individual with hope and inspiration. While reading about all of the significant movements and changes that made society evolve into the melting pot that it is today, I was able to make connections to All Nations Under Heaven the previous book we read. Both literary works described how people were inspired by New York City and devoted their life to what they believed in ultimately succeeding in shifting the way people think and act.