Empire state of mind A Level students journeyed to New York seeking the American Dream
A s part of efforts to enrich our knowledge of American literature, Miss Milton and the English department organised a trip to New York: the economic and symbolic centre of the West. This engaging journey was curated to bring us closer to the dynamic, vibrant essence of American culture and history, paving our study of American literature. We were immersed in the city from the onset, with our accommodation in the heart of Times Square and a stone’s throw away from the major Broadway theatres. In the following days, we thoroughly explored Manhattan, from Midtown’s bright lights to the leafy sanctuary of Central Park, the ethnic enclaves of Chinatown and Little Italy, and the residential neighbourhoods such as Chelsea at the forefront of New York’s cultural significance. A clear highlight of the trip was the performance of Chicago , Broadway’s longest-running production. It was a highly satirical exploration of gender roles and the fast-paced consumeristic nature of the media in the 1920s, portrayed through song and dance. The performance was aesthetically entertaining and gave valuable cultural insight into the social dynamics of the age. We had an evolving understanding of American identity from the 20th Century to the modern day
We boarded the ferry to Ellis Island, where millions of Americans can trace their origins. It was where immigrants from Europe and across the world first reached the United States, and on that island, they were processed, documented, and officially made American. We explored the Museum and took in the atmosphere of the island before departing for the 9/11 memorial. By the end of the trip, we had an evolving understanding of American identity from the 20th Century to the modern day. Overall, the trip was a roaring success, con- solidating and giving us valuable real-life experiences of the concepts and places concerning the American characters we read about in our classrooms. ◎
by James Lock, Year 13
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THE ALLEYNIAN 713
TRIPS
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