Bankrupt Quote by Jacob M. Appel
““To the bankrupt poet, to the jilted lover, to anyone who yearns to elude the doubt within and the din without, the tidal strait between Manhattan Island and her favorite suburb offers the specious illusion of easy death. Melville prepared for the plunge from the breakwater on the South Street promenade, Whitman at the railing of the outbound ferry, both men redeemed by some Darwinian impulse, maybe some epic vision, which enabled them to change leaden water into lyric wine. Hart Crane rejected the limpid estuary for the brackish swirl of the Caribbean Sea. In each generation, from Washington Irving’s to Truman Capote’s, countless young men of promise and talent have examined the rippling foam between the nation’s literary furnace and her literary playground, questioning whether the reams of manuscript in their Brooklyn lofts will earn them garlands in Manhattan’s salons and ballrooms, wavering between the workroom and the water. And the city had done everything in its power to assist these men, to ease their affliction and to steer them toward the most judicious of decisions. It has built them a bridge.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Bridge of Dreams, Jacob M. Appel, 2015
The quote reflects on how writers have historically been drawn to Manhattan’s allure, seeing the city as both a promise of literary success and a perilous temptation that can inspire or destroy them.
In simple terms: Writers are lured by Manhattan’s promise and danger.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the pull of ambition and choose purpose over illusion.
Themes
ambition
city
literary pursuit
risk
inspiration
Mood
reflective
melancholic
inspirational
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing career
- publishing
- creative block
- relocation decisions
- mental health
Key Concepts
existentialism
romanticism
urban myth
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives you to seek validation from a cultural hub?
- How can you balance ambition with realistic planning?
A Different Perspective
The romanticized view may overlook practical challenges of sustaining a writing life in an expensive city.
![“Not every company went bankrupt. Not every bank needed TARP [Troubled Asset Relief Program]. So I'm very proud that JPMorgan, throughout that time period, was completely steadfast. We bought Bear Stearns because we thought we were helping the situation. We didn't cut and run.” quote by Jamie Dimon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/04a/jamie-dimon-1320_assets_not-every-company-went-bankrupt-not-ever_128310.jpg)
