Question

What effect does the symbol have on the meaning of the passage from "Here is New York"?

The commuter is the queerest bird of all. The suburb he inhabits has no essential vitality of its own and is a mere roost where he comes at day’s end to go to sleep.

Question 5 options:

The symbolism of the suburbs as a “roost” expresses the safety and comfort of the commuter’s home.


As birds are inherently pests, the writer uses symbolism to express his view that commuters offer nothing positive to New York.


The symbol of commuters as birds illustrates how they come and go without ever experiencing the city.


By describing the commuter as a bird, the writer emphasizes the freedom of commuters who can come and go from the city as they please.

Answer 1

"Here is New York" is actually a book that was written by E. B. White and Roger Angell. And based on the passage above taken from this book, the effect that the symbol has on the meaning of the passage is that the use of "suburbs" here as a symbol for "roost" expresses the feeling of being safe and comfortable at the home of the commuters. The answer would be the first option.