Manhattan Transfer Themes & Symbolism

Manhattan Transfer Significant Topics

Survival in New York City

Most of the characters struggle to survive in a city that never sleeps and has little compassion. Where Ellen uses her beauty and charm to survive, Jimmy tries with his wits, and although successful enough, he ends up hating his job and the city. Congo goes into the business of bootlegging, which makes him rich. Emile marries into financial security. Ed takes no chances, while George gets his break with an ambulance-chaser's lawsuit, from which Gus collects significant money. Other characters follow their paths toward success, failure or a grinding daily routine. Three who fail are Bud, Stan and Joe. Joe becomes an alcoholic bum in his old age. Bud and Stan end their lives early by suicide. As a backdrop, the city continues to grow and modernize as if it has a life of its own, fed by its inhabitants' life forces and blood.

Socialism

The working class does not...
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