# III: Dollars explained — Manhattan Transfer

> Chapter companion for Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos.

## What happens

The chapter opens with Ed Thatcher and his daughter Ellen at the waterfront, where Ellen's innocent questions about wealth contrast with the harsh reality of a destitute former sailor. It then shifts to Bud Korpenning, a down-on-his-luck upstate man, who offers to haul coal for a woman in exchange for work. Finally, the chapter follows George Baldwin, a young lawyer struggling to build his practice, as he seizes on a news report of an accident to pursue a potential damage suit against the railroad, visiting the injured man's home and speaking with his wife.

## Themes in this chapter

### The American Dream & Ambition

The chapter contrasts the promise of opportunity (the 'land of opportoonity') with the struggles of characters like the destitute sailor, Bud Korpenning, and the ambitious lawyer George Baldwin seeking his first big case.

### Social Class and Inequality

Ellen's question about wealth, the poverty of the sailor and Bud, and Baldwin's disdain for the 'low Irish and foreigners' in the West Side all highlight class divisions and economic disparity.

### Urban Alienation

The crowded, impersonal city is depicted through the waterfront scene, the dingy streets, and Baldwin's isolation in his empty office, emphasizing the loneliness and struggle of urban life.

## Character check-ins

### Ed Thatcher

Takes his daughter Ellen to the waterfront, where he gives her a dime for a former sailor and discusses wealth.

### Ellen Thatcher

Asks her father why they aren't rich, expresses fear of a stranger, and wonders about talking to people on the street.

### Bud Korpenning

Offers to haul coal for a woman in exchange for work, identifying himself as being from upstate.

### George Baldwin

A young lawyer without clients who reads about an accident and decides to pursue a damage suit for the injured milkman, visiting his home to speak with his wife.

### Gus McNiel

The injured milkman mentioned in the news; his accident is the basis for Baldwin's potential lawsuit.

## Key lines

> Daddy why arent we rich?

Ellen asks her father why their family is not wealthy.

_Highlights the theme of social class and the child's awareness of economic disparity._

> I'd give a million dollars to know what they come for.

An old man wonders about the motivations of immigrants arriving by ship.

_Reflects the theme of the American Dream and the curiosity about newcomers._

> Results. Three months I've sat rubbing my tail on this swivel chair. What's the use of going through lawschool and being admitted to the bar if you cant find anybody to practice on?

George Baldwin laments his lack of clients after three months of practicing law.

_Illustrates Baldwin's ambition and frustration as a young lawyer._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/iii-dollars
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/manhattan_transfer_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters