Gangs of New York

PLOT

It’s the mid-19th century in the lawless Five Points district in Manhattan, one of the worst slums in the world, where rival gangs fight for control of New York. In a battle between the Irish immigrants Dead Rabbits and the born-in-America Natives gang, “Priest” Vallon is killed by Native leader Bill the Butcher. “Priest” Vallon’s son, Amsterdam, witnesses the murder. After 16 years in a “House of Refuge”, Amsterdam returns to Five Points to avenge the death of his father.

Bill the Butcher is now the merciless new leader of the neighbourhood, a Nativist who hates the inmigrants. Amsterdam gets close to the Butcher’s inner circle, but the closer he gets to Bill, the more he falls under his spell. And as Bill takes him under his wing, Amsterdam becomes conflicted.

Comprehension Questions.
a. Say if the following sentences are true or false:
1. Bill the Butcher kills “Priest “ Vallon.
2. Bill the Butcher is an Irish immigrant in New York
3. Amsterdam sees Bill the Butcher kill his father.
4. Bill the Butcher loves Irish inmigrants.
5. Amsterdam wants revenge for his father’s death.
b. Answer the following questions:
1. Where does the action take place? When?
2. Two gangs want to control New York. Which ones?
3. Name three characters mentioned in the text and say where they come from:
6. Why does Amsterdam have “conflicting” feelings towards Bill the Butcher?

Vocabulary.
1. Lawless, merciless, neighbourhood: are they nouns or adjectives? Where do they come from? Can you infer their meaning?
2. Find in the text synonyms for: go back (v), killing (n), boss (n), fight (n), group of very poor houses
3. Can you infer from context the meaning of :
Fall under someone’s spell
Get close to someone / something