This particular image might seem condescending to anyone living on the lower east side, making it clear that they are vastly different from others living uptown. More proof of this is found when he writes, "The gap that separates the man with his patched coat from his wealthy neighbor is, after all, perhaps but a tenement" (303). This clearly, in a less metaphorical way, states the obvious divide between the rich and the poor just driving the point of clear separation. Another social gap that Riis makes is a division between races and ethnicities, and specifically notes the split between natives and immigrants. Riis does this by describing the racial hierarchy and how they differed. This is made apparent when he writes, "The mixed character of the population, by this time about equally divided between the Celtic and the Italian stock, accounts for the iron bars and the policemen ,A Chinaman, whom I questioned as he hurried past the iron gate of the alley, put the matter in a different light. 'Lem Ilish velly bad,' he said" (298). Here, Riis makes a point to discuss the Irish and Italian groups of people. By specifically noting them, he is making a differentiation between them and others in the city at the time. He even goes as far as to generalize the reason for "iron bars" and "policemen" at the time, insinuating that the Irish and the Italian are the delinquents who caused there to be a need for harsh security in the tenements. The account of the Chinese man saying that the "Irish are very bad" is an odd addition on Riis' part. This does not really add much to Riis' point except to show the readers that he is not the only person who believes the Irish had been making mischief. This allows any reader who does not particularly like the Irish to connect with Riis and trust what he is saying because they agree with at least one point he is making.