Perspective in "Only the Dead Know Brooklyn" and "The Near and Far" Anonymous 12th Grade

Through the use of contrasting structure and perspective, Thomas Wolfe’s stories “Only the Dead Know Brooklyn” and “The Far and Near” work in collaboration to explore the relationship between the modernist concepts of isolation in society and the ultimately undefinable existential fulfillment that man seeks. Both stories feature characters that find comfort in the idea connection, which they actively seek out and cultivate; the stranger in Brooklyn wishes to “know” the area, much to the first person narrator’s dismay. The train engineer protagonist in “The Far and Near” finds a lifetime’s worth of comfort in the imaginary connection he forges with two strangers. Although neither story contains an uplifting conclusion, Wolfe’s treatment of the quest for fulfillment remains positive, indicating the continued worth of existential goals.

The first person narrator in “Only the Dead Know Brooklyn” provides the audience with an initial sense of authenticity; a superficial reading may lend itself to an interpretation of the colloquialisms and familiarity of the narrator as evidence of his every-man quality. However, the narrator’s tendency to speak in absolutes, such as his firm belief that “Dere’s no guy livin’ dat known Brooklyn t’...