Characterization in Chapters 5-9 of Thurber’s My Life and Hard Times

Dorian K., Shilpa N., Niagara P., Danica W.

James Thurber, in his novel My Life and Hard Times, creates a strong image of his characters’ physical and mental states, using rhetorical devices such as metaphors, alliteration, hyperboles, and diction. This characterization contributes to the plot by providing insight to the chaos and adding to the lighthearted tone of the novel.

Thesis

More Alarms at NightChapter 5

● Hyperboleo “I grew slightly alarmed...I began to feel the necessity

of human contact” (43) panicked

● Metaphoro “alarming tangle of thought and fancy had gone far

enough” (43) fearful

James

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● Metaphoro “certain gleam in his eyes” (41)

devious● Diction

o “he was (or rather, as we found out long afterward, pretended to be) astonished and bewildered (42) devious

Roy

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● Onomatopoeiao “father grumbling for a long time” (42)

irritated ● Diction

o “‘I did not have a nightmare...slowly and firmly...old-fashioned, “side-slit” nightgown which looked rather odd on his tall, spare figure” (42) stubborn

o “smiling in a faint, strained way” (44) nervous

Father

http://images.sodahead.com/polls/001310597/istockphoto_1167059_stubborn_man_answer_4_xlarge.jpeg

● Diction (continued)o “in readiness to spring out of bed

on the far side” (44) fearful

● Metaphoro “he finally woke up with a glaze of

dream and apprehension in his eyes” (43) confused

Father (continued)

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● Dictiono “an occasional monosyllable doubt from mother” (42)

frustratedo “Mother would not let the rest of us discuss the affair next

morning at breakfast” (45) irritated

Mother

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Chapter 6A Sequence of Servants

Diction● “...among the immortals…” (pg. 46)

o Describes how she was memorable● “...she wore a mass of jewelry…” (pg.

46)o Describes the large amount of

jewelry she was wearing and gives a strong image to the reader of her appearance

Dora Gedd

http://poisontreepoetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/got-diction.jpg

Alliteration● “She kept shouting something

from Shakespeare after the shooting…” (pg. 46)o Describes her frantic state

and helps the reader imagine what she acted like during the event

Dora Gedd (Continued)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Hw-shakespeare.png/250px-Hw-shakespeare.png

Diction● “...big, genial, and ruddy…” (pg. 47)

o Adds to the imagery used by the author to demonstrate her large size

● “...bumping into and knocking over furniture…” (pg. 47)o Continues to add to the imagery

used to describe her large size

Gertie Straub

Diction● “....thin, nervous maid who

lived in constant dread of being hypnotized…” (pg. 47)o Imagery used to describe her

appearance● “...floundered out…” (pg. 47)

o Describes her actions

Juanemma Kramer

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/MontreGousset001.jpg

Onomatopoeia● “...buzzing or

whirring…” (pg. 47)o Describes the sounds

that caused the chaos of hypnosis

Juanemma Kramer (Cont.)

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Understatement● The author describes how Belle

burns her finger in order to see whether the pain-killer she bought at a tent show was any good. Thurber says that “It was only fair.” (pg. 49)o Mocks Belle’s decision and

understates the seriousness of the situation

Belle Giddin

http://www.stayatstovedad.com/.a/6a00e55503a4a38834015435dcfb09970c-pi

Rhyme● “...might fight it out some

night…” (pg. 49)o Adds to the humor and

imagery of the situation that could occur between the men due to the conflict over Vashti

Vashti

http://shortbaldandlanky.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/letsmakearhyme_littlemissmuffet_nusery_rhyme.png

Diction● “...threw her over for a yellow

gal…” (pg. 50)o Word choice describes the

actions taken by Charley and his decision from Vashti’s deceit

Vashti (Cont.)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Speech_bubble.svg/300px-Speech_bubble.svg.png

Diction● “...huge, middle-aged

woman with a religious taint…” (pg. 50)o Adds to appearance of

the character and insight into her values

Mrs. Doody

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Simile● “...went out of our house

like a comet…” (pg. 50)o Adds to reader’s

understanding of the Thurber family’s issues with the woman

Mrs. Doody (Cont.)

Diction:● “...a fat and mumbly old Negro

woman…” (pg. 50)o Describes her appearance

with strong imagery words● “...flubbering up...bounced…”

(pg. 52)o Describes her large size and

how she carried herself

Mrs. Robertson

http://www.crosstrainingsoftball.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/DiscussionForum.jpg

Hyperbole● “...who might have been sixty

and who might have been a hundred…” (pg. 50)o Describes her age and the

type of appearance she has in a humorous and unique way

Mrs. Robertson (Cont.)

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Metaphor ● “It seems that she was a jewel.”

(pg. 52)o Describes Thurber’s mother’s

like for Mrs. Robertson Alliteration● “Dey is a death watch downstairs!”

(pg. 52)o Emphasizes the woman’s

accent and method of speaking

Mrs. Robertson (Cont.)

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Assonance● “...Spanish fandango on a

banjo.” (pg. 52)o Describes her talent and

adds to the reader’s understanding of her personality

Mrs. Robertson (Cont.)

http://narrabeenmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Banjo-lessons-in-Narrabeen.jpg

The Dog that Bit People

Chapter 7

Alliteration ● Jeannie: “a Scotch terrier...who

had just had six puppies in the clothes closet of a fourth floor apartment in New York” (Thurber 54) o Adds to the rhythm of the

sentence and adds emphasis on the strange nature of the situation.

Thurber’s Dogs

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Personification● “...during a walk she had insisted on

taking” (Thurber 54)○ Thurber’s use of personification adds

human elements to his pets (part of the family)

○ Demonstration of Thurber’s keen attention to even the most trivial events.

Thurber’s Dogs (cont.)

http://www.pedigree.co.nz/breeds/images/scottish_terr.jpg

Diction● “...prize-winning French poodle, a great big

black poodle—none of your little, untroublesome white miniatures...” (Thurber 54)o Thurber demonstrates pride through this

particular diction; contrasts the greatness and power of the poodle with the meekness of smaller dogs

Thurber’s Dogs (cont.)

http://www.petsplace.co.za/French%20poodle%20with%20continental%20cut.jpg

Alliteration● “The airedale was the worst of all my

dogs...A big, burly, choleric dog...” (Thurber 55).o “Big, burly”: emphasis on Muggs’

roughness and foreshadows the conflicts to be brought about by this personality.

● “...with a great growling and scratching of claws...” (Thurber 60).

Muggs

http://www.coolestdognames.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/airedale_terrier.jpg

Diction● “...he always acted as if he thought I

wasn’t one of the family” (Thurber 55). o Direct and plain choice of words in

Muggs’ attitude towards Thurber foreshadows the conflict between Thurber and Muggs later on.

Muggs (cont.)

http://www.pinterest.com/meemimi/airedales-maizie-mae-mine-n-theirs/

Diction● “Muggs was afraid of only one

thing, an electrical storm” (Thurber 62).o Syntax used to add emphasis to

the only weakness that detracted from Muggs’ bravery.

Muggs (cont.)

http://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/lightning1.htm

Hyperbole● “Thunder and lightning frightened him out of his

senses” (Thurber 62).o An exaggeration that heightens the

understanding of Muggs’ fear.Simile

● “Muggs came wandering into the room like Hamlet following his father’s ghost” (Thurber 62).o Belief in the existence of what is unseen

Muggs (cont.)

http://frankzumbach.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/hamlet-act-1-scene-1/

Diction● “She said the signs of his horoscope showed

he couldn’t be trusted — but she sent him a box of candy that Christmas” (Thurber 56). o Superstitious; eccentric; kind-hearted

● “...some such inscription as “Flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” (Thurber 63).o Special bond between Muggs and

Thurber’s mothero “She was forever defending him”

(Thurber 56).

Thurber’s Mother

http://www.freeonlineastrologer.com/images/horoscopesigns2.gif

University Days

Chapter 8

Anaphora● “I didn’t like the swimming

pool, I didn’t like swimming, and I didn’t like the swimming instructor...”(Thurber 68).o Used for emphasis on

Thurber’s dislike

Thurber

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● “The uniform which, when new, had made me look like an interurban railway conductor, now that it had become faded and too tight made me look like Bert Williams in his bellboy act” (Thurber 72-73)o Similes used for imagery in

demonstrating the humorous change throughout his years of military drills.

Thurber (cont.)

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Diction● “He would begin patiently

enough...but he would always end up in a fury, claiming that I could too see through a microscope but just pretended that I couldn’t” (Thurber 64).o Demonstration of the frustration

of the professor

Botany Professor

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Similes● “The professor had come back from vacation

brown as a berry, bright-eyed, and eager to explain cell-structure again to his classes” (Thurber 65).

● “He was beginning to quiver all over, like Lionel Barrymore, and he genuinely wished to hold onto his temper” (Thurber 65)o Add a humorous description of the

professor’s demeanor and physical appearance.

Botany Professor (cont.)

Diction● “He was a tackle on the football

team....while he was not dumber than an ox he was not any smarter” (Thurber 67).

● “No light came into the big tackle’s eyes” (Thurber 67). o Used to highlight the football

player’s lack of intelligence.

Bolenciecwcz

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Diction● “Bolenciecwcz had the look of a man

being led into a trap” (Thurber 67).● “Bolenciecwcz was staring at the

floor now, trying to think, his great brow furrowed, his huge hands rubbing together, his face red” (Thurber 68). o Clueless; effort in trying to

identify a simplistic answer.

Bolenciecwcz (cont.)

● “...The economics professor, a thin, timid man named Bassum” (Thurber 67)

Onomatopoeia ● “‘Choo-choo-choo,’ he said, in a low voice, and turned

instantly scarlet” (Thurber 67).o His use of onomatopoeia demonstrates helpfulness;

“[turning] instantly scarlet” emphasizes timid nature. ● “Ding, dong, ding, dong...Chuffa, chuffa, chuffa” (Thurber

68).

Mr. Bassum

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Theriomorphism ● “‘You startled him!’ barked General

Littlefield, looking at me severely” (Thurber 73).

Diction● Use of the words ‘shouted,’

‘snapped,’ and ‘barked’o These elements display the

General’s cold, abrupt commanding nature.

General Littlefield

Draft Board Nights

Chapter 9

Chiasmus● “...‘He watched while I

slept...so now I'm watchin' while he sleeps’…” (page 76)o demonstrates

fairness in Grandfather’s actions

Grandfather

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Metaphor● “...he approached it as he

might have approached a wild colt…” (page 76)o continued use of the

comparison between the electric and a colt shows stubborn refusal to accept changing technologies

Grandfather (cont.)

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/171910910747966095/

Alliteration● “...We followed a

tortuous trail…” (page 78)o illustrates the

importance of Grandfather to Thurber and his family

Grandfather (cont.)

http://www.louisvilleco.gov/Portals/0/Parks%20&%20Recreation/Walnut%20Trail%20100306.JPG

Hyperbole● “...Jake hadn't been able to

sleep at night for twenty-eight years…” (page 75)o enforces the idea that Jake is

the “perfect person” for watching over Grandfather

Jake

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Alliteration● “...perfect person…”

(page 75)o used to clearly

describe the suitability of this character for his purpose

Jake (cont.)

http://www.careerealism.com/perfect-person-job/

Diction● “...She had become,

surprisingly enough, quite skilful…” (page 76)o demonstrates that

Grandmother typically was not good at adapting to the use of new technology

Grandmother

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Diction● “...‘You’re absolutely

nothing to me’…” (page 80)o shows that the military is

rude and cursory in drafting

The Military

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Hyperbole● “...ninth or tenth time I

was called…” (page 80)o illustrates the

redundancy of having Thurber attend the drafts

The Military (cont.)

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Diction● “...Ridgeway gave him a

haughty, indignant look…” (page 81)o shows Dr. Ridgeway’s

incredulity at being expected to do something that was done by another department

Doctor Ridgeway

http://dict.space.4goo.net/dict?q=haughty

Diction● “...tall, unexpected young

man…” (page 81)o shows that he seemed unfit

for his job

Byron Landis

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Diction● “...I was assigned, or

rather drifted…” (page 80)o shows indifference

in regards to the draft

The Narrator (Thurber)

http://www.sportdiver.com/article/news/diving-doc-jellyfish-stings

Onomatopoeia● “...then say "mi, mi, mi,

mi,"...” (page 81)o used to emphasize

the inexperience Thurber had in the field

Narrator (cont.)

http://www.distrimed.com/product_info.php?products_id=5690

● Thurber, James. My Life and Hard Times. New York: Harper & Bros., 1933. Print.

Works Cited