The Man with the Golden Arm (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Nelson Algren
- First Published: 1949
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social realism
- Time of Work: 1946-1948
- Setting: Chicago, Illinois
- Genres: Long fiction, Realism, Social realism
- Subjects: Suicide, Gambling, Murder or homicide, 1940’s, Chicago, Substance abuse, Adultery, Card games, Drug addiction or addicts, Disabilities or physically challenged persons, Morphine
- Locales: Chicago, IL
Characters Discussed
Francis Majcinek (mi-CHEE- nehk), a card dealer known to everyone in his westside Chicago neighborhood as Frankie Machine. Twenty-nine years old, with shaggy blond hair, buffalo eyes, and a square face, Frankie has such a steady, machinelike talent for dealing cards that he can boast that he has the touch; he is the man with the golden arm. Frankie also uses his arm for shooting up morphine, a habit he developed during World War II to relieve the pain of shrapnel lodged in his liver. Honorably discharged from the Army with a Purple Heart and a Good Conduct...
[The entire page is 952 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
