Manny

Manny is the avatar of Manhattan. When he arrives in the city for the first time he forgets his name and his past. He adopts the name Manny, Manhattan, because he inherently knows that he has become the city. Manny symbolizes New York's history and identity as a city that is forged from newcomers. His past life, identity, and affiliations are superseded by his connection to New York. This exemplifies the identity of New Yorkers who were born and raised elsewhere but thrive in and identify with the culture of city that is formed from the amalgamation of millions of people coexisting.

When Manny looks at himself in the bathroom mirror he assesses his physical appearance. Manny describes himself as a "generic all-American boy (nonwhite version) nicely nondescript" (31). He considers this convenient but cannot pinpoint why. Manny understands that to be distinctly non-white, to be another with a...