Representations of Brick Lane

Question 1

How does Adam Dant’s HISTORICAL counter map represent Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 1

Adam Dant’s historical map represents Brick Lane as an area of rich historical significance with notable residents in the area and a variety of important places.

Question 2

What strengths/weaknesses does the HISTORICAL counter map have in terms of reliability? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 2

+: accurately represents the cultural evolution of Brick Lane over time through different migrant groups. Loosely geographically accurate.
-: Streets are not drawn to scale so difficult to read, details small on the map and difficult to read.

Question 3

How does the HISTORICAL counter map of Brick Lane compare to other sources? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 3

Strongly consistent with historical heritage of the area which has developed over time by ethnic groups migrating to the area. Does not compare well to other maps of Brick Lane geographically.

Question 4

How does Jane Smith’s LANDMARK counter map represent Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 4

Represents the current culture of Brick Lane rather than its wider historical development, as well as clearly displays multiple activities and places attributed to each cultural group.

Question 5

What strengths/weaknesses does the LANDMARK counter map have in terms of reliability? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 5

+: more geographically reliable than Adam Dant’s map, more aerial perspective, has details of different activities and areas of land within Brick Lane.

Question 6

How does the LANDMARK counter map of Brick Lane compare to other sources? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 6

More informative about the current relevance of Brick Lane to tourists and visitors than Adam Dant’s map due to it featuring current areas that can be visited. Also has greater resemblance to traditional maps.

Question 7

How does Sally Flood’s poem represent Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 7

Flood’s poem about Brick Lane is rather frank and aware of the problems facing Brick Lane but she embraces its imperfections, saying they are what shapes Brick Lane. Mentions its heavy immigrant population but also issues with drugs and prostitution.

Question 8

What strengths/weaknesses are there of Sally Flood’s poem in terms of utility? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 8

+: Flood is a local resident of Brick Lane and has been all her life, so the poem is based on lived experience. She also appears to be very aware of the imperfections of the area.
-: Published in the 1980s, this poem is now outdated and potentially unrepresentative of the modern Brick Lane.

Question 9

How does Sally Flood’s poem about Brick Lane compare to other sources? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 9

Flood’s poem, is a more negative, honest representation of Brick Lane which I have not personally experienced before. Formulated on the back of real life experience, it is different from the trendy image created by other sources.

Question 10

How does Ceara McEvoy’s video represent Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 10

Demonstrates Brick Lane as being trendy, exciting and bizarre in the best way, with all sorts of shops, eateries and leisure activities with which to enjoy.

Question 11

What strengths/weaknesses are there of Ceara McEvoy’s (explorer) video in terms of utility? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 11

+: comes from someone self-described as an explorer who can draw on expertise shaped by other places, based upon lived experience of her time in Brick Lane.
-: Potentially an outsider perspective of Brick Lane so may not be as informed about the area as an insider.

Question 12

How does Ceara McEvoy’s video on Brick Lane compare to other sources? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 12

Consistent with the tourism side of Brick Lane that is represented in wider media and sources with regards to shops, markets, street food and art, as well as the diversity of culture.

Question 13

How does the Brick Lane community website represent Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 13

Represents Brick Lane as an area once dominated by poverty and crime which is now thriving as a result of the influence of migrant groups. Culturally changed by this.

Question 14

What strengths/weaknesses are there of the Brick Lane Community’s Website in terms of utility? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 14

+: created by people with lived experience so is based on lived experience of the area. Uses specific examples in writing about the area.
-: May be biased to attract people to the area having been created by insiders, promotes specific places so may have a financial incentive to do so.

Question 15

How does Brick Lane’s Community Website compare to other sources? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 15

Consistent with most other representations of Brick Lane, especially the significance of immigration into the area into forming the culture. Makes specific note of its impoverished origins and how these have shaped the area in the modern day.

Question 16

How does Monica Ali’s novel and film ‘Brick Lane’ represent Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 16

Represents the culture of Brick Lane with its restaurants as a result of immigration, however does little beyond this to reference wider opportunity and culture in Brick Lane.

Question 17

What strengths/weaknesses are there of Monica Ali’s book/novel in terms of utility? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 17

+: written by someone with lived experience of Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi community so expected to be accurate.
-: received criticism for its representation of Sylheti community as backward and Conservative, Ali was not brought up in Brick Lane (Bolton) so doesn’t fully understand the area.

Question 18

How does Monica Ali’s Book/Novel compare to other sources? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 18

Largely seen as a watered down and uninspiring representation of the area, which gives a basic view of culture and food. However, not consistent with other sources, as the community it represents see it as degrading.

Question 19

How does the street art of a white person and a person in a Burka represent Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 19

Represents Brick Lane as being an area where multiple cultures converge on each other an lobe together harmoniously regardless of ethnic differences.

Question 20

What strengths/weaknesses are there of the street art in terms of utility? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 20

+: a very powerful representation of the combination of cultures in the area and the harmony between them.
-: universal harmony doesn’t exist in the area, with there still being lots of racial tension between communities.

Question 21

How does the street art of a white person with a person in a burka compare to other sources? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 21

A strong and powerful representation which is fully in line with other representations of the area, showing the harmony between other cultures rather than just their close existence.

Question 22

How does a Londoner’s guide represent Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 22

Represents Brick Lane as being a gradual evolution of differing cultures over time, compiled by different ethnic populations in the area.

Question 23

What strengths/weaknesses are there of the Londoner’s guide to Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 23

+: accurately researched in terms of noting the different ethnic populations over time.
-: very strongly pro-London so perhaps inherent bias exists towards the area.

Question 24

How does the Londoner’s guide to Brick Lane compare to other sources? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 24

Consistent with other representations of Brick Lane over time that make strong reference to the area’s complex and evolving ethnic mix.

Question 25

How does the Leeds based Blogger’s blog represent Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 25

Represents Brick Lane as exciting and vibrant, especially through her own recounting of her own personal excitement at living in the proximity of the area. Positive reflections on the area.

Question 26

What strengths are there of the Leeds based Blogger’s blog in terms of utility? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 26

Based on lived experience as someone who has lived in the area, but as someone who has originally come from Leeds also has something to compare the area to.

Question 27

How does the Leeds based Blogger’s blog compare to other sources? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 27

Largely consistent with other representations in noting the culture of the area and Brick Lane’s reputation and prestige as a place.

Question 28

How do the 1900s photographs represent Brick Lane? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 28

Represent Brick Lane as an area created by major evolution over time, with it previously being a fairly ordinary urban area in the centre of London. Now a busy, thriving area.

Question 29

What strengths/weaknesses are there of the 1900s photographs in terms of utility? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 29

+: accurate and unedited photos show the reality of the evolution of Brick Lane. Effective at showing this.
-: photos can be selective at capturing an image so potentially mask certain aspects of the area from view.

Question 30

How do the 1900s Brick Lane photographs compare to other sources? - Brick Lane Representations

Answer 30

Consistent with other representations in showing the significance of immigration to the area but this time visually shows it, something which other sources have failed to do. This does, however, neglect recent gentrification in the area and the impact this is having on the culture.