Zetland: By a Character Witness

1) In p. 23, the narrator claims that Zet and Lottie "swam into the New York City from the skies", "where everything was better, where objects were different. Here there was deeper meaning in the air". Keeping in mind Bellow was raised in Chicago, where the characters take off from, and taking into consideration the period in which the story is set, explain a possible reason for the preference of New York City. Why did the air contain deeper meaning there?

2) "He stamped his feet. At Lottie who was ruining his son, he cried, "You wait! I'll get you. Five years, ten years, but I'll get you." He shouted, "You bitch - you nasty cunt."" (p.23)
Explain why Old Zetland does not approve of Lottie, taking into consideration the descriptions of the characters and how they were raised.