Chapter 6: The Bend
Introduction
In Chapter 6, Riis begins to describe the conditions of one of the worst area's in old New York, "The Bend". Riis described the bend as, "The foul core of New York's slums", located where, "Mulberry Street crooks like an elbow". The sixth ward was an area of New York straight out of Southern Italy, packed with people, horrible living conditions, and full of crime. Rii's thoroughly described the horrors of life on "The Bend" and the problems that came with trying to change it.
p. 46 - 57
p. 46 - 57
Chapter 6: Summary
The Bend is one of the worst areas in New York. 20 years before Riis' visit a census of the area came up with only twenty-four out of the six hundred and nine tenements as in decent condition. The area is a jammed space, filled with narrow alleys that give the bend a maze like feel, perfect for the unwholesome people who inhabit parts of the Bend. Riis describes the Bend as an incredibly busy place, similar to a southern italian market. Riis says, " The interest centres not in them, but in the crowd they shelter only when the street in not preferable, and that with the Italian is only when it rains or he is sick." It makes sense that the tenants would rather occupy the streets, because of the horrible packed conditions they would face indoors. Riis describes everything from the bread the old hags sell to the brawney butcher as disgusting. Every place possible is turned into a shop in the bend, showing how much the people have to do to get by. Oddly enough the women seem to do the most work in the Bend. Riis talks about them carrying large loads of fire-wood, vegetables, and their children as well while the men sit and smoke, and complain.
Riis describes the Bend as a violent place where, "Abuse is the normal condition of "the bend," murder its everyday crop, with the tenants not always the criminals." The moratlity of the block was 68.28. Riis blames the poor condition of the tenements as the cause for the deaths. Riis points out that only two babies died in a tenement across the way that was kept by good management. Half a dozen people could be crammed into one room with the temperature of 115 degrees.
Half a dozen blocks from Mulberry Street is the rag picker settlement. There 40 familes could be packed into a house meant for five paying rent from $3.75 to $10 dollars based on the room size. People are constantly in and out, but nobody seems to take notice or care. If they are sick of unable to do good its not the job for the other tenants who do all they can to pay the rent.
It is hard to detemine the overcrowding in the settlements since nobody seems to agree on the number. It is almost impossible to count the people anyway, seeing that the homeless are not counted in the census and even then they wouldn't gather in one place to be counted. Every space possible is sold to to those in need of a place to stay, even if it is standing room only. The only time the places are cleared is for when officials come around, but even then as soon as the door closes behind an official, it is opened again to the many who are desperate
Riis describes the Bend as a violent place where, "Abuse is the normal condition of "the bend," murder its everyday crop, with the tenants not always the criminals." The moratlity of the block was 68.28. Riis blames the poor condition of the tenements as the cause for the deaths. Riis points out that only two babies died in a tenement across the way that was kept by good management. Half a dozen people could be crammed into one room with the temperature of 115 degrees.
Half a dozen blocks from Mulberry Street is the rag picker settlement. There 40 familes could be packed into a house meant for five paying rent from $3.75 to $10 dollars based on the room size. People are constantly in and out, but nobody seems to take notice or care. If they are sick of unable to do good its not the job for the other tenants who do all they can to pay the rent.
It is hard to detemine the overcrowding in the settlements since nobody seems to agree on the number. It is almost impossible to count the people anyway, seeing that the homeless are not counted in the census and even then they wouldn't gather in one place to be counted. Every space possible is sold to to those in need of a place to stay, even if it is standing room only. The only time the places are cleared is for when officials come around, but even then as soon as the door closes behind an official, it is opened again to the many who are desperate
Bibliography
Riis, Jacob. How the Other Half Lives. New York: Penquin Books Ltd., 1890.
Riis, Jacob. How the Other Half Lives. New York: Penquin Books Ltd., 1890.