# V: The Burden of Nineveh explained — Manhattan Transfer

> Chapter companion for Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos.

## What happens

The chapter intercuts the collapse of the Blackhead & Densch firm with James Merivale's self-congratulatory speech at a bankers' dinner, the departure of Mr. Densch from New York, Ellen Thatcher's exhaustion from work and her impending divorce, and Jimmy Herf's drunken conversation with Armand Duval about his downward trajectory and Ellen's engagement to George Baldwin. The narrative also includes a brief scene of a young man signing onto a ship and a child's night terror.

## Themes in this chapter

### The American Dream & Illusion

James Merivale's speech celebrates banking success while the collapse of Blackhead & Densch and Jimmy's downward mobility expose the fragility of the dream.

### Urban Alienation

Ellen's exhaustion in the taxi, Mr. Densch's lonely departure, and Jimmy's sense of dislocation reflect the isolating pressures of New York City.

### Illusion and Performance

Merivale's public speech contrasts with his private reverie; Nevada Jones performs connubial bliss while hiding her past; Jimmy sees through social facades.

## Character check-ins

### Jimmy Herf

Drinks with Armand Duval, discusses his social decline, Ellen's marriage to Baldwin, and his own lack of direction.

### Ellen Thatcher

Rides in a taxi after work, exhausted and tense, late for an appointment; her divorce and engagement to Baldwin are mentioned.

### James Merivale

Attends the Metropolitan Club, reflects on the Blackhead & Densch failure, and recalls his own speech at the Bankers Association dinner.

### George Baldwin

Mentioned as the man Ellen is going to marry, recently appointed District Attorney and being groomed for mayor.

### Nevada Jones

Meets Jimmy in the hotel lobby; she has married Armand Duval and asks Jimmy to keep quiet about her past with Tony Hunter and Baldwin.

### Armand Duval

Drinks with Jimmy, offers him money if needed, and has just married Nevada Jones.

## Key lines

> Ten Million Dollar Failure. Failure. Success. Ten Million Dollar Success. … Ten Years of Successful Banking.

The juxtaposition of failure and success highlights the precarious nature of wealth and reputation.

_Reflects the theme of the American Dream and the volatility of financial status._

> The difference between you and me is that you’re going up in the social scale, Armand, and I’m going down.

Jimmy contrasts his own social decline with Armand's rise.

_Illustrates Jimmy's awareness of his downward mobility and class inversion._

> Women are like rats, you know, they leave a sinking ship. She’s going to marry this man Baldwin who’s just been appointed District Attorney.

Jimmy cynically compares women to rats abandoning a sinking ship, referring to Ellen's decision to marry Baldwin.

_Reveals Jimmy's bitterness about Ellen's departure and his own sense of abandonment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/v-the-burden-of-nineveh
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/manhattan_transfer_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters