The Life and Work of American Humorist James Thurber

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the biography, written production, and style of the American humorist James Thurber. It includes excerpts from many of his best-known works, as well as examination of his conventions and importance to the body of 20th Century American literature. The paper discusses "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," "My Life and Hard Times," and the concept of "The Little Man."

From the Paper:

"Much to his later chagrin, James Grover Thurber was brought hesitantly into the world on December 8, 1894, the second son of junior politician Charles Leander and the extraordinarily eccentric Mary Thurber. Thurber's mother was in fact an incorrigible practical joker upon whom her son relied for inspiration for many of his partly autobiographical stories, particularly those contained in his best-known work, My Life and Hard Times, written in 1933."

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