# Jimmy Herf — Manhattan Transfer character guide > Jimmy Herf in Manhattan Transfer by John Dos Passos. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Jimmy, James, Jim Herf, Jim, Honeysuckle Jim, Herf, Honestly Herf, old man Herf **First appearance:** 0000-section-i ## Who they are A wandering journalist and central protagonist navigating New York's chaotic social landscape. ## Relationships ### [Ellen Thatcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/ellen_thatcher) _friendship_ Childhood friends who drift apart as adults, with Ellen pursuing social success while Jimmy seeks meaning, creating a bittersweet, nostalgic bond. ### [Ed Thatcher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/ed_thatcher) _family_ Ed is Jimmy's uncle and guardian after Jimmy's mother dies, providing a stable but emotionally distant home. ### [Stan Emery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/stan_emery) _friendship_ College friends and fellow idealists who share a cynical view of society, though Stan's self-destruction strains their bond. ### [Ruth Prynne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/ruth_prynne) _romantic_ A brief, intense romance that ends when Ruth chooses a conventional marriage over Jimmy's bohemian lifestyle. ### [Maisie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/maisie) _romantic_ A short-lived, unhappy marriage where Maisie's materialism clashes with Jimmy's idealism, leading to divorce. ### [Lily Herf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/lily_herf) _family_ Jimmy's mother, whose death early in the novel leaves him orphaned and shapes his restless search for belonging. ### [Jack Cunningham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/jack_cunningham) _friendship_ Fellow journalist and drinking companion, sharing a cynical camaraderie in the newspaper world. ### [Congo Jake](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/congo_jake) _friendship_ A loyal, working-class friend who provides Jimmy with practical support and a grounded perspective. ### [Emily Merivale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/emily_merivale) _social_ Casual acquaintances in the same social circles, with Emily representing the wealthy world Jimmy rejects. ### [Anna Cohen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/anna_cohen) _friendship_ A kind, intellectual friend who shares Jimmy's literary interests and provides emotional support. ### [Roy Sheffield](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/roy_sheffield) _friendship_ A fellow journalist and friend, representing the bohemian newspaper culture of 1920s New York. ### [Tony Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/tony_hunter) _friendship_ A wealthy, carefree friend who contrasts with Jimmy's serious nature, yet they share a mutual affection. ## In the story ### [Section I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/section-i) A newspaperman who observes the city's relentless energy and reflects on his own place within it. ### [Tracks](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/iv-tracks) Present at the Merivale family dinner, recalling childhood bullying of a boy named Iky; later retreats to his room in anger after seeing his drunken uncle. ### [V: Steamroller](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/v-steamroller) At sixteen, Jimmy is pressured by Uncle Jeff to adopt a business career after his mother's death; he outwardly complies but inwardly rebels against the city's dehumanizing routine. ### [Section II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/section-ii) Present in the city, navigating his personal and professional life. ### [I: Great Lady on a White Horse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/i-great-lady-on-a-white-horse) Visits Ruth Prynne at her boarding house; works as a cub reporter on Hell's Kitchen. ### [II: Longlegged Jack of the Isthmus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/ii-longlegged-jack-of-the-isthmus) Dines with Ruth Prynne and gossips about the scandalous events at the boarding house. ### [III: Nine Days' Wonder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/iii-nine-days-wonder) Wakes from a dream about a woman to the sound of a burglar alarm and knocking; briefly mentioned in the transition from Phil's accident. ### [V: Went to the Animals’ Fair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/v-went-to-the-animals-fair) Dances with Ellen and accompanies her to the murder cottage after Baldwin's scene. ### [VI: Five Statutory Questions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/vi-five-statutory-questions) Walks by the Aquarium, meets his cousin Joe Harland, and discusses his dissatisfaction with his reporting job and his ambition. ### [VIII: One More River to Jordan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/viii-one-more-river-to-jordan) Accompanies Ellen after dinner, offering comfort and sharing memories of Stan. ### [Section III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/section-iii) Jimmy Herf is depicted grappling with his career and personal identity, reflecting on his place in the city. ### [II: Nickelodeon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/ii-nickelodeon) Jimmy dines with his wife Ellen at a restaurant, feeling the strain in their marriage and reminiscing about their time in Europe. ### [III: Revolving Doors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/iii-revolving-doors) Struggles with his marriage, his job, and a sense of despair, eventually getting drunk and confronting Ellen late at night. ### [IV: Skyscraper](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/iv-skyscraper) Quits his job at the Pulitzer Building, wanders the city, contemplates violence, and reflects on his lost youth. ### [V: The Burden of Nineveh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/chapters/v-the-burden-of-nineveh) Drinks with Armand Duval, discusses his social decline, Ellen's marriage to Baldwin, and his own lack of direction. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters/jimmy_herf - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/manhattan_transfer_se/characters