Tyler Anbinder's 'Five Points'

People build a city, just as a city builds people. This proves that atmospheres impact a person's characteristics and the character one becomes. Judgements are build off of this impact, it builds a reputation for both the environment and the person. In the film “Gangs of New York”, there is an emphasis on the personality of multiple characters, and the sides those characters choose to present to the audience. Tyler Anbinder’s book “Five Points” discusses the history of New York, and the cultural blends that affected the daily lives of both the immigrants and the natives. People withhold many personalities, but only choose the ones they feel suits the situation best. The atmosphere of a city brings upon an aura that lurks into the souls of its …show more content…
Illegal circumstances made it hard for men and women alike to roam the streets. The Five Points became a war zone, where gangs controlled many parts. "Gangs of New York" begins by presenting two different gangs, the natives and the dead rabbits and their mission to gain what is known as the Five Points. During Amsterdam's "resurrection", he performs ruthless acts such as killing Bill's men, in order to prove his point, that he seeks revenge for his father's death. Bill states that he would be willing to sacrifice a dozen of his men, so that he may remain in power. The land of the Five Points was presumed to be valuable, and worthy of control. "Five Points" presents what the land itself was made up of during that period in New York City. The Five Points, was a source of gambling, prostitution, violence, and filth.This source of land fulfilled the desperation of ethnic groups who needed comfort, and a new place to call home. Rivalries began to arise between gangs in the Five Points, and gangs in the Bowery. Each gang craved control of the Five Points and its sources. The negative atmosphere of the city built an aura where it's people committed violent and unethical