After World War One, many writers tried to implement their own inventive styles of writing. Many writers tried methods such as not using punctuation or capitalization, and even obscure, and sometimes unreadable phrasing. Many authors tried to base their writings on themes such as, "Race, class, sex, revolution, economics, lives and perspectives of the disillusioned, the outcast, the dispossessed, the maverick, the ethnic minority." (Safier, 573). James Thurber was a writer during this time period. He tried to express his ideas using humor. Critics often described him as being, "One of the foremost humorists in American literature."(Fitzgerald, 411). He intrigued readers with his writings that more or less mocked the way of life at the time. He looked down upon the social structure, especially the aspect of twentieth century life that he expressed as, "The war between men and women." Thurber often portrayed the men in his stories as "The little man." They were often timid and flustered, paired with capable and resourceful women. He often portrayed the woman as overbearing and controlling toward the men. Although women were the number one cause of frustration for him, Thurber felt that modern day machinery was a close second. By reading one of his stories, the reader is able to identify the instances where he expressed these views through the actions and behaviors of the characters in his works.
James Thurber was born on December 8, 1894 in Columbus, Ohio. At this period of time, it was the twilight of the Victorian era. His parents were Charles Leander, a politician, and Mary Agnes Thurber. Growing up was difficult for Thurber, Not only because he was a gawky, gangling boy who was very shy and disheveled, But also because of a childhood accident. When he was seven years old he was shot in the eye with and arrow by his older brother, William, during a game of William Tell, in which one boy placed an apple on his head and the other attempted to shoot it off.
