James Thurber was born on December 8, 1894, in Columbus, Ohio ("J. Thurber"). At the age of six, he was shot in the left eye with an arrow while playing a game of William Tell with his brother (Morsberger, "J.T." 602). As a result of this injury, he became blind in one eye, and the blindness made Thurber feel inadequate at sports (602). As a result he became an observer and was driven into a fantasy world, making him appear shy, withdrawn, and lonely (602, 605). All throughout grade school he was the teacher's pet, which did not make him popular among his classmates (605). Despite his seclusion throughout grade school, Thurber eventually overcame his social isolation and was president of his senior class (606).

his later years of schooling, his college years followed much of the same pattern of his previous schooling. In his first year at Ohio State University in 1913, Thurber was academically successful, but socially inactive (Holmes 22). During his second year at Ohio State, he did not complete any of his classes, but rather he spent his days at the Union and the library (26). During his third year Thurber met Elliott Nugent, a fellow student, who helped Thurber to become a more successful student both academically and socially (27-28). In 1917 Thurber began to write for The Ohio State Lantern, the campus newspaper, and The Sun-Dial, the student monthly (Morsberger, J.T. 13). Robert O. Ryder, editor of the Ohio State Journal, was the first humorist influence on Thurber, and Thurber's first columns were an imitation of Ryder's style (Homes 23, 24). In 1918 he was the editor-in-chief of The Lantern (Holmes 32). Thurber wrote and directed his first play Psy!

a Lemming," published in 1941, a lemming is interviewed by a scientist who knows everything about the lemmings except why they follow each other into the sea and drowned (603). When asked about humans, the lemming responds by calling mankind horribly cruel, greedy and selfish beings (603). When asked why they do follow each other the lemming replies, "'How curious,' ... 'The one thing I don't understand is why you humans don't.'"(Morsberger, "J.T." 603). The theme is obviously that humans have many incredibly undesirable traits (603). Many of his fables also have morals that are basic truths of life such as The Last Flower, "The Rabbits Who Caused All the Trouble," and "The Owl Who Was God" (603).

ecame a rewrite man for the Paris edition of the Chicago Tribune (Gale 1804). In 1926 he retuned to New York and had an unsuccessful attempt at selling stories and his book Why We Behave Like Microbe Hunters (Morsberger, "J.T." 606). Later that year he became a reporter for the New York Evening Post (606).

erger, "J.T." 610). "The Rabbits Who Caused All the Trouble" is an allegory that deals with the Nazis and their anti-Jewish beliefs (610). "The Owl Who Was God" deals with the blind following and devotion to a blind leader (610). Typically the heroes in Thurber's fair tales are not the warrior-type but rather toy makers, poets, jesters, and musicians (606).

While many of his writings had common topics, they also have a serious meaning about life and are critical of life and human nature (Gale 1806). "In Thurber's world the dividing line between humor and tragedy is thin; and humor is not merely an aspect but a necessity of life- a vital element in human endurance and survival"(Morsberger, J.T. 18). His earlier works deal with the absurdities of day-to-day life and conflict of reality and ideals ("J. Thurber"). Walter Mitty wanted to be extraordinary and was in his fantasies, but in reality he was a man that was puzzled by machines and his wife (Holmes 118). Mr. Monroe was often found in the same situation, trying to deal with the reality dealt to him by his wife (122). His later works often deal with the negative side of human nature (Morsberger, "J.T." 611). The theme in "Teacher's Pet" is that humans can be cruel, not only to those who are different, but also to those very similar to themselves (605). In "Interview with !

Great humorists are not simply entertaining; they reveal truths about human nature through the use of laughter (Morsberger "J.T" 602). The Thurber man, woman, and dog have all made people laugh, but they have also made people realize truths about themselves and mankind. Thurber's many fables also express serious meaning about human nature and life.

Other events that influenced his writing were his experiences in college. In the fall of 1915, he was unable to pass Botany I (Holmes 27). His misshapes in Botany I also became very humorous happenings in University Days (27). He also rarely went to his Military Drill out of dislike

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Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)