Cities Quote by Joan Didion
“New York was no mere city. It was instead an infinitely romantic notion, the mysterious nexus of all love and money and power, the shining and perishable dream itself. To think of 'living' there was to reduce the miraculous to the mundane; one does not 'live' at Xanadu.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Slouching Towards Bethlehem, 1968
New York is portrayed as an idealized, romantic symbol intertwining love, wealth, and power, making ordinary life feel extraordinary.
In simple terms: The city is a romantic ideal mixing love, money, and power.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the mythic allure of places.
Themes
urban romance
idealism
power
wealth
love
Mood
nostalgic
critical
Type
literary
observational
When to use this quote
- travel writing
- city planning
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
cultural critique
urban studies
Questions to Reflect On
- What does New York symbolize for you?
- How does romanticizing a place affect your expectations?
A Different Perspective
Idealizing a city can obscure its realities.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
