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Manhattan Transfer · Character

Gus McNiel

A rough, hard-drinking fireman and friend of the characters.

minor

Also known as Gus McNiel, Gus, Augustus McNiel, Poor old Gus, McNiel, Gus McNiel bullnecked redfaced, Mr. McNiel

First appearance: section i

Gus McNiel's tie to George Baldwin is one of the pressures that moves Manhattan Transfer—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

The injured milkman mentioned in the news; his accident is the basis for Baldwin's potential lawsuit.
In the storyIII: DollarsOpen this moment free

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

With George Baldwin (professional): George is a lawyer who represents Gus after a crime, using the case to further his own political ambitions. With Ellen Thatcher (romantic): A brief, passionate affair that ends when…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Gus McNiel sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Gus McNiel in section i

Character Web

28 connections

A slice of how Gus McNiel sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

GBGeorge BaldwinETEllen ThatcherLHLily HerfNJNevada JonesETEd ThatcherGMGus McNiel

Relationship types

  • Professional
  • Romantic
  • Other

Character groups

  • Elite social climbers
  • Background figures and minor characters

+23 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

SetupAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

The emotional and psychological peak occurs when Ellen, confronted with the word "Sarajevo" and the impending…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Gus McNiel in section i

In the story

Gus McNiel appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Gus McNiel unlock in the free preview.

See Gus McNiel in section i