Cityscapes in Literature: The Transformation of Urban Imagery from Antiquity to the Global Metropolis

Abstract

This study looks at how the city has evolved in Western literature, moving from a simple backdrop to a complex character in its own right. It argues that the urban landscape in stories has transformed dramatically. What began as a static symbol of divine or social order gradually became a dynamic force that actively shapes a story's plot, its characters, and its deepest themes. To trace this journey, the analysis starts with the ancient and Renaissance city, which often stood as an unmovable representation of authority and fate. From there, it moves into the industrial hubs of the 19th century. Here, Realist writers and the figure of the flâneur used the city to map out new social hierarchies and the complex lived experience of modern life. The discussion then delves into the fragmented, psychological cityscapes of Modernism and the hyperreal, often dystopian settings of Postmodernism, where the city reflects a fractured internal consciousness and a world of simulated realities. Finally, it turns to contemporary global megacities, using them as a stage to explore postcolonial identities and the stark inequalities fuelled by globalization. Ultimately, this paper aims to show that across centuries, the urban space in literature has consistently served as a vital microcosm. It captures our deepest societal anxieties, our technological progress, and the ever-changing nature of what it means to be human.