Art & Identity in New Orleans

This book is very different from the other 3 books we have read in many ways. Firstly, it is poems instead of a novel which right aways gives it a different vibe. Secondly, the “characters” are people of class and high status. This is a fact I actually enjoy because I feel we are able to see the point of view of actual people especially the women of New Orleans. The poems especially January 1911 paints perfectly the picture of how many women’s relationships with friends and family changed since they started working in Storyville.The line that says whoever the author was writing to was too simple to be able understand her new life and that was okay basically describes how must people doing sex work feel. Lastly, I like that this book actually talks about black people. In the other 3 books black people were overlooked or simple nameless background characters they gave little to none contribution to the story but yet somewhat acknowledged. In Bellocqs Ophelia black women were apart of the story and their lives were shown a little more.