# II: Longlegged Jack of the Isthmus explained — Manhattan Transfer

> Chapter companion for Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos.

## What happens

Ellen Thatcher returns to her boarding house after a night out, feeling a mix of elation and disgust. Meanwhile, Jimmy Herf and Ruth Prynne gossip about the scandalous antics of their fellow boarders, including the Oglethorpes and Tony Hunter. Later, Morris Allwight and Cassandra Wilkins walk in Central Park, where Cassie reveals a potential career opportunity. Joe Harland, once known as the Wizard of Wall Street, drunkenly recounts his rise and fall, attributing his success to a blue silk necktie given to him by his mother.

## Themes in this chapter

### Urban Alienation

The desolate streets and cramped boarding house life highlight the isolation and anonymity of city living.

### American Dream and Ambition

Cassie's pursuit of a show business career and Joe Harland's tale of financial rise and fall reflect the allure and fragility of success.

### Illusion and Performance

The theatrical antics at the boarding house and Cassie's aspirations to perform underscore the theme of life as a performance.

## Character check-ins

### Ellen Thatcher

Returns to her boarding house after a night out, feeling a mix of elation and disgust.

### Jimmy Herf

Dines with Ruth Prynne and gossips about the scandalous events at the boarding house.

### Ruth Prynne

Dines with Jimmy Herf and recounts the dramatic scene involving the Oglethorpes and Tony Hunter.

### Cassandra Wilkins

Walks in Central Park with Morris Allwight and discusses her potential career opportunity.

### Morris Allwight

Walks with Cassandra Wilkins in Central Park, expressing frustration about his financial situation.

### Joe Harland

Drunkenly recounts his past success as the Wizard of Wall Street and the loss of his lucky necktie.

## Key lines

> Greatest hit on Broadway. The words were an elevator carrying her up dizzily, up into some stately height where electric light signs crackled scarlet and gold and green, where were bright roofgardens that smelled of orchids, and the slow throb of a tango danced in a goldgreen dress with Stan while handclapping of millions beat in gusts like a hailstorm about them.

The phrase 'greatest hit on Broadway' lifts Ellen's spirits, imagining a glamorous world of bright lights, rooftop gardens, and dancing with Stan to thunderous applause.

_Ellen's fantasy of fame and success contrasts with her grim reality._

> The secret of my success was… a blue silk crocheted necktie that my mother made for me when I was a little boy.

Joe Harland claims his financial success was due to a lucky necktie his mother made, which he later gave to a woman who threw it in the fire.

_Joe's story illustrates the role of superstition and luck in his life, and his subsequent downfall._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/ii-longlegged-jack-of-the-isthmus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/manhattan_transfer_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters