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
http://www.nwkniterati.com/movabletype/archives/MossyCottage/mess.jpg
● 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
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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.)
http://b68389.medialib.glogster.com/media/b8921a650b0cb9aa1375817e8095bd0a77e50942cee9a78f0326105f9019cf82/hyperbole-04.png
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
http://static.gotpetsonline.com/pictures-gallery/dog-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/scottish-terrier-pictures-breeders-puppies-rescue/pictures/scottish-terrier-0028.jpg
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
http://www.vectors4all.net/preview/microscope-clip-art.jpg
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
http://www.watershedassociates.com/fairness-at-negotiating-table
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
http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/data/992/1-4e.gif
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