Broadway, the Five Points. Yet, the versions of New York these writers present are vastly different. Some of these differences stem from the fact that Dickens is merely a visitor in New York, while Foster clearly knows the ins-and-outs of the city. The clearest demonstration of this is when Dickens and Foster guide their readers to the Five Points. When Dickens intends to stroll through the Five Points, he notes that “but it is needful, first, that we take as our escort these two heads of the police, ” because Dickens is not comfortable enough to show the reader around Five Points by himself (Dickens, 99). Comparatively, Foster finds himself and the reader confidently “standing at midnight in the center of the Five Points. Over our heads is a large gas-lamp, which throws a strong light for some distance around” (Foster, 121). Moreover, Foster largely examines the city at night, while Dickens saunters through New York only during the day. The comfort level these men have with New York begins to explain the basic differences in their depictions of the
Broadway, the Five Points. Yet, the versions of New York these writers present are vastly different. Some of these differences stem from the fact that Dickens is merely a visitor in New York, while Foster clearly knows the ins-and-outs of the city. The clearest demonstration of this is when Dickens and Foster guide their readers to the Five Points. When Dickens intends to stroll through the Five Points, he notes that “but it is needful, first, that we take as our escort these two heads of the police, ” because Dickens is not comfortable enough to show the reader around Five Points by himself (Dickens, 99). Comparatively, Foster finds himself and the reader confidently “standing at midnight in the center of the Five Points. Over our heads is a large gas-lamp, which throws a strong light for some distance around” (Foster, 121). Moreover, Foster largely examines the city at night, while Dickens saunters through New York only during the day. The comfort level these men have with New York begins to explain the basic differences in their depictions of the