"New York - that unnatural city where every one is an exile, none more so than the American"

This quote by Charlotte Perkins Gilman speaks with the feeling of alienation and displacement that many individuals experience in New York City. The city is typically viewed as a location of opportunity and ambition, however it can also be a location of solitude and seclusion. Gilman recommends that this feeling of exile is particularly real for Americans, who might find themselves in an unusual and unfamiliar environment. The hustle and bustle of the city can be frustrating, and it can be difficult to find a sense of belonging. Gilman's quote talks to the concept that New York City can be a place of both chance and alienation, and that Americans might discover themselves feeling particularly out of location.