Our group created a digital annotated version of Manhattan Transfer (1925) written by John Dos Passos. The work is in the public domain in the United States, and the text used is from Wikisource. We worked as a group to add some annotations via Hypothesis, make audio presentations using various jazz music, create a character map, test different AI tools to generate images, and collect book covers and reviews in different periods. Welcome on board! Let us explore one of the most brilliant American novels of the Twentieth century.
Manhattan Transfer is a novel set from the 1890s to the 1920s in New York City around the time of the Gilded Age (1870–1900) and Jazz Age (1918–1929). It is not so much a story as a cascade of stories written as an experimental novel not following a traditional format. The fast-paced stories revolve around different characters representing upper- and lower-class citizens and their lives. The leading characters are Ellen Thatcher and Jimmy Herf. But are they really? Many characters appear several times, while some only appear once. The story is told in montages. Reading lets you get an overall view of the metropolis, but you may lose yourself in snapshots of street life and plots.
Author
John Dos Passos (1896–1970) was an American writer and artist. He published over forty books, including novels, biographies, plays, etc. He also created four hundred pieces of artworks. He is famous for the camera eye that captures the metropolitan scenes and the 20th century America’s urbanism. Besides Manhattan Transfer, he is also famous for writing Three Soldiers (1920) and The U.S.A (Trilogy) (1937).
Summary
SECTION 1
Chapter 1 – Ferryslip
Bud Korpenning arrives in NYC and looks for work. Ed Thatcher visits the hospital where his wife, Susie, is giving birth to daughter, Ellen. Ed runs out of his apartment as there was a fire close by and while watching it from a distance notices the probable arsonist walk past him.
Chapter 2 – Metropolis
Ed gets a promotion at work and starts thinking of upscaling his family. Congo and his friend, Emile, talk about immigrant life and aspirations.
Chapter 3 – Dollars
George, a struggling lawyer, reads about an accident and decides to ambulance chase the victim, Gus. While at the McNeil’s George falls in love with Nellie. Jimmy and his mother, Lily, arrive by boat to NYC.
Chapter 4 – Tracks
Jimmy and his mother are dining at upscale hotel. Lily is very ill. Jimmy lives with his aunt, Emily Merivale, and husband. Susie is dead. Ed brings up Ellen alone. Ellen is an actor on stage.
Chapter 5 – Steamroller
Jimmy wonders around the cemetery where his mother was just buried. Jimmy, now sixteen, has lunch with his uncle and tells him he doesn’t want to become a business man. At the restaurant, Jimmy meets Congo. Jimmy walks with Tony, who confess he is gay.
SECTION 2
Chapter 6 – Great Lady on a White Horse
Jimmy is now a reporter who is covering a notorious part of the city. Stan turns up again after an absence and surprised to have been married in Niagra Falls to Pearline.
Chapter 7 – Longlegged Jack of the Isthmus
Ellen catches a thief as he tires to steal money. Stan burns Pearline’s apartment down.
Chapter 8 – Nine Day’s Wonder
Jimmy starts to hate his job as reporter and wants to travel the world. Ellen is very successful. Stan has died.
Chapter 9 – Fire Engine
Ellen is strolling with Harry Goldweiser.
Chapter 10 – Went to the Animal’s Fair
George and Ellen meet Gus and Nellie. George tells Ellen the story of Gus’ accident and the affair he had with Nellie.
Chapter 11 – Five Statutory Questions
Ellen meets Dick Snow for lunch and talks about divorce.
Chapter 12 – Rollercoaster
Stan has become a hopeless alcoholic and burns down an apartment building.
Chapter 13 – One More River to Jordan
Stan has died. George tries to avoid getting associated with Ellen for fear of scandal.
SECTION 3
Chapter 14 – Rejoicing City That Dwelt Carelessly
Soldiers return home from WW1, including Jimmy’s cousin, James. Jimmy and Ellen also return from the war.
Chapter 15 – Nickelodeon
Minor characters eat and talk about theatre.
Chapter 16 – Revolving Doors
Congo Jake and accomplice plot scheme to make money. James discusses falling stock market with his mother.
Chapter 17 – Skyscraper
Jimmy quits his job and wanders around city.
Chapter 18 – The Burthen of Nineveh
George divorces wife and marries Ellen. Jimmy leaves NYC.
