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Ethan Rahal

Sara Villa

603-200-AB0

March 15, 2024

Teju Cole’s Open City:

In Teju Cole’s Open City, the reader follows the protagonist Julius, a Nigerian and

German psychology intern, exploring and wandering the streets of New York. Through his

strolls, he uncovers the vast history of its inhabitants through interactions in various hearts of the

city. Jane Jacobs, an urbanist and activist, defined the hearts of a city as the public spaces that

allow for socialization amongst strangers within the same city (Jacobs 1-29). Teju Cole's Open

City presents an authentic dynamic of New York City's micro-communities, reflecting Jane

Jacobs' ideology of urban vitality. Through the protagonist Julius' journeys and profound

encounters, Cole delves into the intricate layers of urban life, prompting reflections on identity,

micro-communities, and history.

Open City immerses readers in the vibrant interweaving of New York City's diverse

neighborhoods, where Julius embarks on contemplative walks that lead him to unexpected

encounters and insights into his identity. At the beginning of the story, as Julius reflects on his

aimless strolls through the city, he says, “And so when I began to go on evening walks last fall, I

found Morningside Heights an easy place from which to set out into the city” (Cole 3). This

casual beginning to the novel exemplifies the organic nature of Julius' exploration, highlighting

both his physical and mental wandering within the urban landscape of New York. The quote

serves as an introduction to Julius' evolutionary journey through New York City, where he learns

about various communities, their history, and their importance. As the story progresses and
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Julius meets new figures in public spaces, he continues to learn more about his identity and his

lack of familiarity with people of African descent. While getting his shoes shined by Pierre,

another man of African descent, Pierre recounts his story of being enslaved to which Julius feels

no connection despite sharing similar ancestry (72). Similarly, when Julius hails a cab and the

driver mentions he is African just like him, Julius rejects the common bond the driver attempts to

establish (40). These instances display Julius’lack of connection towards the African aspect of

his intersectionality. Louis Chude-Sokei reinforces this idea in his article “Newly Black

Americans” stating Julius’ “deliberate refusal to be interpellated by tropes of racial solidarity or

affirmed by gestures of cultural commonality” (Chude-Sokei 66). Moreover, as he grapples with

memory and forgetting, Julius reflects, “The past, if there is such a thing, is mostly empty space,

great expanses of nothing” (Cole 155). This self-analytical observation highlights the transient

nature of human consciousness and its impact on identity. This quote displays Julius' inner

turmoil as he navigates the complexities of his memory and self-awareness amidst the animated

social spaces of the city.

One of the central themes in Open City is the idea of New York City being a developing

city with visible traces of its past, holding a deep history, with its streets bearing the imprints of

past and present narratives. Julius reflects on this notion as he observes the site of the Twin

Towers, stating, “The site was a palimpsest, as was all the city, written, erased, rewritten” (59).

This symbolic interpretation emphasizes the ever-changing nature of urban landscapes, where

history intertwines itself with contemporary realities. This quote prompts readers to consider the

rich layers of New York City's history and its impact on Julius’ perception of the city as he

navigates its streets. On a walk in Battery Park after consulting his accountant, Julius develops

the idea that “New York long remained the most important port for the building, outfitting,
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insuring and launching of slavers’ ships” (163). In this quote, Julius reflects on the historical

significance of New York City as a hub for the slave trade. He contemplates the city’s role in

facilitating the transportation of enslaved individuals, highlighting a dark chapter in its history.

This analysis underscores Julius's awareness of the city's complex past and its implications for

present urban life. By acknowledging New York City's involvement in the slave trade, Julius

confronts the uncomfortable truths of its history and the enduring consequences of systemic

oppression.

Central to Julius’ exploration of New York City is his interaction with its diverse

inhabitants within lively micro-communities, echoing Jane Jacobs’ ideology of urban vitality.

Resonating with Jacobs’ belief in the importance of vibrant street life, Julius immerses himself in

the city’s parks, cafes, and corner stores, where he encounters a diverse array of individuals.

Reflecting on his experiences, Julius realizes “how little can be known about a person by looking

at their life from the outside” (139). This realization fosters a deep empathy for his fellow

migrants highlighting the theme of shared humanity within the micro-communities of New York.

This quote pushes forward the significance of human connections in shaping Julius’

understanding of urban life. Through interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds,

Julius gains a deeper understanding of their struggles and aspirations. Whilst moving away from

the crowd as he exits a show, he thinks it is “unimaginable how many small stories people all

over this city carried around with them” (155). This observation accentuates the theme of

communal solidarity and shows the importance of individual narratives within the broader fabric

of urban life. This ties back to Jacobs’ idea that interactions with others are what defines a city.

Teju Cole’s Open City provides a compelling exploration of New York City's lively

micro-communities, reflecting Jane Jacobs' ideology of urban exuberance. Through Julius’

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transformative encounters and introspective reflections, Cole displays multifaceted layers of

urban life, providing reflections on identity, memory, and empathy within the lively micro-

communities of New York City.

Works Cited

Chude-Sokei, Louis. “The Newly Black Americans.” Transition, no. 113, 2014, pp. 52–71.

JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2979/transition.113.52.

Cole, Teju. Open City. New York, Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2012.

Wetmore, John Z. “Jane Jacobs at the National Building Museum.” YouTube, YouTube, 17

Sept. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA902O1l-dc.