How does the city in Vignettes city of the dead and walking in the city contrast with the first city Lakshmi saw in the vignette

Read the excerpt from “the railroad earth.” o well anyway i'll be learning eventually to like the railroad and sherman will like me some day, and anyway another day another dollar. the narrator of this excerpt can best be described as friendly.optimistic.wealthy.intelligent.

What is the theme of "the story of the fisherman”?

Which quotation best supports the authors’ claim and purpose?