Cities in Fiction: How to Write an Essay on It
If you're studying English literature, then it's impossible not to pen a few paragraphs on London. It doesn't mean that New York (or any of the oldest cities in New England) can't be discussed at all, but the courses that you would study during your first year revolve around classic novels and poems by British authors. London or no London, you still must be able to put a nice perspective on the setting of the story. Otherwise, you must know a few important things about cities, and how they are depicted in popular fiction.
Younger readers, which would include you, might not be interested in this subject matter. If Rick Riordan's bestselling novels are any indication, sightseeing is nothing more than a selfie (and bragging rights on social media). A good B.A. English student wouldn't take traveling very seriously, yet a visit to Brooklyn Children's Museum (or any museum that is free of charge) would yield positive results. Literature students, who study on the other side of the Atlantic, may be lucky. (There are many museums that don't charge visitors, and the British Museum would be one of those places.) It should be one facet of the British capital, but the gray weather might have influenced many authors. Many colleges offer courses on Gothic fiction (on top of other genres). Whether or not you've been reading any of the books, an exercise on literary criticism would be nothing without an analysis of the metropolis, and how it would impact the characters.
Cinema would be a good start, and you don't have to buy a movie ticket. (If you're not a Netflix subscriber, then you can go to YouTube.) It should give you some general ideas on how a city would be represented in popular fiction. In this regard, New York must be your only choice. (You could study James Ellroy's works, and write about Los Angeles. It may require you to spend a long time in the library. You might have problems with time management.) You may be a homebody, if not a hermit, if you haven't been to the Big Apple. It wouldn't be hard to write a first impression of New York, but don't consider the Statue of Liberty and a facehugger covering her face. You could risk envy if you have gone to London for a holiday, as 221B Baker Street would be good enough for an essay topic. (If you have been to H.G. Wells's residence, which would be a few buildings away, then you could add it to your list.) But there's something you must do before you come up with your draft (of your essay).
What Your Perspective Must Be
Do a background check. An environment would shape an individual. You don't have to write something about Boston if the event happens in Massachusetts, and you haven't been to that part of the East Coast. If you recall the plot well enough, then there must be one particular feature about the city that would make you recall the book for days. Do an online research about it, also talk to your tutor. You can ask your parents if they have been to that area. Don't ever do an extensive research and end up writing about it solely. The exception would be "A Tale of Two Cities" and the likes. This doesn't apply to imaginary cities, which might be more challenging than you think. Authors draw from their imagination, and come up with intriguing ideas. You don't have to duplicate their feat, but you can recall your own experience. It needs to be a remote one, where it's possible to draw parallels. When you're done with it, then you can proceed to the next one.
Discuss your place of interest. It doesn't pertain to your favorite tourist destination. It also doesn't imply a wish list, where you must see a few places before you settle down and start a family. It can be a particular spot in your home, which you haven't outgrown with. It can be any place in your hometown, which you have fond memories of. (If this same place inspires you, then it may help you on this exercise.) You can use this one, which should result to a persuasive (or more satisfying) conclusion to your assignment. You must be certain about the clarity, such that you didn't try too hard to write about it (for the sake of it). You can go to the next one when you're done with this step (of the task).
Draw comparison, if not differentiate one from the other. If Charles Dickens had done it, then there's no reason you can't do the same thing. If you could come up with a Dickens-esque kind of paper, then everyone in your department would kiss the ground that you're standing on. It might take a lot of energy from you, though. Stick to one particular feature, where inhabitants share the same trait. (If you've been to London, then you should have noticed the polite locals before your first day is over.) It doesn't matter if you come from a small town, as there are many similarities between a small community and a large metropolis (like New York). Contradiction wouldn't take a few minutes at the most, yet you would be the lazy one if you settle on this. There's nothing to lose if you try harder.
What to Expect at the End of this Task
Your first assignment would result to a generalization on one thing or two, which is fine. You should have lots of assignments afterward. You must realize that you don't have to be factual, if not very accurate, about your observation. It doesn't matter if your observations are outlandish, if not remote from what the author intends (to the readers). You hardly do the exercise if you would agree with everything you read, if not repeat what others have written before. You can only push the button, but back it up with insightful remarks. Try to be a keen observer.
