Since we’re having a little capitalist vs. communism debate here, I’d like to say that I agree with Elizabeth–that neither system is perfect. It’s true that if the United States had been a Communist society, Five Points would not be in such a bad state, possibly because it would be non-existent. Because, if you think about it, the degeneration of Five Points was, in part, caused by the huge number of immigrants that gathered there in a relatively short amount of time. And why did these immigrants gather there? They were there to improve their lives. In a uniform society, like the one that Communism creates, there is no chance of advancement, hence no reason for immigrants to gather. On the other hand, the capitalist system has a lot to do with the deterioration of Five Points. Sigh. This debate could continue for the rest of eternity and we’d still have no answer.
I totally agree with Elizabeth on how hard-hearted people must be to prefer to go slumming rather than help the people out and also with Rebecca on how Five Points was a profitable. I may or may not have checked out the last chapter “The End of Five Points” in which it talks about the renovation of Five Points, mentioning a newspaper that stated that Five Points grew amazingly boring after it became a place actually worth living in. I also remembered that scene in Slum dog Millionaire in which Jamal (was that his name?) was pointing out the buffaloes to the amazed tourists.
Praveena mentioned how it irked her how everyone was able to use Five Points to justify their personal beliefs. I found it kind of funny. But then I have a bizarre sense of humor. But honestly, that’s the beauty of a symbol. It can be used to represent almost anything. Five Points is a symbol of all that is New York, whether it be anti-slavery or evils of capitalism.
About what Liz said–all humans being naturally greedy–that’s a little harsh, don’t you think? There are all sorts of sides and facets to human nature–to generalize humanity is an injustice.
I remember thinking about Oliver Twist while reading, and I was pleasantly surprised when Charles Dickens was mentioned. Though I’m not a fan of Oliver Twist, I liked all his other novels. I thought it was kind of funny how Dickens exaggerated the conditions of Five Points to get his little revenge on the United States. It just goes to show that Five Points can really be used to for anything.
