he ideal of the rugged individual opening up the American West is still applied as an essential truth to ten million citizens living in the small area of New York City, as if ten million bulls should and could be squeezed into a china shop.

Summary

This quote suggests that the traditional American ideal of the independent, self-reliant individual conquering the frontier is still imposed on the densely populated and urban environment of New York City. It highlights the irony of trying to fit ten million people into a limited area, comparing it to forcing bulls into a delicate china shop. The quote implies that this outdated ideal clashes with the realities of modern urban life, where cooperation and adaptation are necessary for harmonious coexistence.

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