Jemisin tackles social issues that plague urban environments: gentrification, rising rents, corporatization of neighborhoods, and racism. Did you find the information interesting, did it enhance the story for you? Or did you find that it slowed the pace and distracted you from the action?ĩ. Jemisin weaves into her plot the history and demography of each of the boroughs. Manhattan avatar's 'construct' to fight the woman in the park is 'money talks, bullshit walks.' What is his meaning?Ĩ. Jemisin states one of the themes of her work: 'There ain't no one way to be a part of this city.' Consider the meaning of this remark and why it is so central to Jemisin's story.ħ. Metaphorically, what does the enemy represent?Ħ. Why are the particular five avatars in The City We Became chosen to square off against the White Woman? What qualities do they bring, or not bring, to the fight? If you're familiar with New York City, how does each of the Avators reflect the borough they come from? Is 'coming together' possible? Do divisions in our society and culture allow for mutuality? What does it take? If threats unite us in action, will the union last once the threat has passed?ĥ.

More like a family: many parts, frequently squabbling … but in the end, against enemies, they come together to protect one another. What is Jemisin's vision here? What does she mean?Ī city is never alone, not really-and this city seems less solitary than most.

In between a city can cohere, coming together like a living organism. Jemisin writes that 'Great cities are like any other living things': they gestate and then are born and eventually die.

( Follow-up to Question 1) What urban weaknesses does the monster exploit? What is it about city-life that makes it vulnerable, as opposed to, say, small-town or rural life?ģ. What do you make of it: how does it operate? What is its intent?Ģ. Start by considering the unusual form this alien force takes in attacking New York City. We'll add publisher questions if and when they're available in the meantime, use our LitLovers talking points to help start a discussion for THE CITY WE BECAME … then take off on your own:ġ.

We became the city