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James Thurber Dec. 8, 1894–Nov. 2, 1961. Mr. Davis ENG I 8-21-2012. Life. Thurber was born in Columbus, Ohio to Charles L. Thurber and Mary Agnes (Mame) Fisher Thurber. His father is said to have been the inspiration for the small, timid protagonist typical of many of his stories.
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James ThurberDec. 8, 1894–Nov. 2, 1961 Mr. Davis ENG I 8-21-2012
Life • Thurber was born in Columbus, Ohio to Charles L. Thurber and Mary Agnes (Mame) Fisher Thurber. • His father is said to have been the inspiration for the small, timid protagonist typical of many of his stories. • Thurber describes his mother as a "born comedienne" and "one of the finest comic talents I think I have ever known."
Life • Thurber had two brothers, William and Robert. • Once, while playing a game of William Tell, his brother William shot James in the eye with an arrow. • Because of the lack of medical technology, Thurber lost his eye.
Life • In his lifetime, Thurber worked at the American Embassy in Paris, France during WWI. • He also attended the Ohio State University and wrote for the Saturday Evening Post. • He is famous for his short stories as well as drawing cartoons.
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” • “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is one of Thurber’s most notable stories. • It features an ordinary man who escapes life through his various fantasies. • The short story was also made into a 1947 film, starring Danny Kaye as the title character.
Quotes • "Why do you have to be a nonconformist like everybody else?" • "If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons." • "You can fool too many of the people too much of the time."
References • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Thurber • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Life_of_Walter_Mitty
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” Reading Guide Remember: these notes will be turn in for a grade. Be sure to complete all questions/directions.
Vocabulary Terms • Distraught (adj.): troubled or confused. Ex. She was distraught over losing her wallet. • Insolent (adj): boldly disrespectful. Ex. Her insolent words offended the guests. • Inscrutable (adj): baffling; mysterious. Ex. No one has ever solved the puzzle of his inscrutable personality.
Consider As You Read: (You will turn this in) • What is the SETTING of the story: • Who is the protagonist? What kind of person is the protagonist? • Summarize the theme or central idea of this short story: • Identify a sentence or short passage that states or strongly implies the theme: • List at least FIVEwords with which you are unfamiliar or questions about the text. It can be any combination of the two. Make sure they are answered in your notes.
Review: “Walter Mitty” • Do questions 1-4 (all parts), #5a and #7 b. on p. 130. • Be sure to answer ALL parts of the question. • You do not have to re-write the question, but be sure that you RESTATE the question in your answer. • Higher-level responses! THINK! Don’t just breeze through these—they will help you in the future!
“Walter Mitty” Review • What is the SETTING of the story: • Who is the protagonist? What kind of person is the protagonist? • Summarize the theme or central idea of this short story: • Identify a sentence or short passage that states or strongly implies the theme: • List at least FIVEwords with which you are unfamiliar or questions about the text. It can be any combination of the two. Make sure they are answered in your notes. • Do questions 1-5 (all parts) and #7 b. on p. 130. • Be sure to answer ALL parts of the question. • You do not have to re-write the question, but be sure that you RESTATE the question in your answer. • Higher-level responses! THINK! Don’t just breeze through these—they will help you in the future!
