In Italo Calvino's "Invisible Cities," the author explores the duality of cities as experienced by their inhabitants. For newcomers, the city presents a fresh, vibrant identity full of possibilities, while for those who are confined within its bounds, it transforms into a place of endless entrapment. The experience of the city can vary drastically based on one’s relationship with it, leading to different interpretations and emotions associated with the same location.

Calvino emphasizes the idea of naming cities according to personal experiences, suggesting that the significance of a place can shift dramatically depending on one's journey and perspective. This introspective observation highlights how cities can embody contrasting meanings—one as an inviting destination and another as a prison. The narrative reflects the layered complexity of urban existence and the profound impact of individual journeys on the essence of a place.