“The Catbird Seat”
Instructor: Sabrina Fox
James Thurber
Short Story Analysis
Read "The Catbird Seat" and review your short story theory.
Then, answer the following questions using COMPLETE and
CORRECT sentences.
Good Luck!
Enjoy. It is a wonderful, humorous story.
Questions:
1. Who is the protagonist in the story and what is
his/her goal?
2. Is he/she properly motivated? Explain.
3. How is suspense created and maintained throughout
the story? What is the function of the suspense? What
effect does it have on the reader?
4. What point of view is used in this story? Why is it
used? What are some of its advantages and disadvantages
for this particular story?
5. Characterize Mr. Martin. Describe his character in
depth. Is he round or flat? Is he static or
dynamic/developing? Support your answers with
reasons/details.
6. Characterize Mrs. Barrows. What do you know about
her? Is she round or flat? Static or dynamic? Why do
you think that?
7. Identify and explain the types of conflict in the
story. What is the main conflict. Describe some minor
conflicts as well. Why is the conflict important to the
plot of this story?
8. Evaluate the surprise ending? Is it a fair surprise
to the reader? Why or why not? Is Thurber guilty of
plot manipulation? cheap writing? Why or why not?
(Evaluation the use of surprise/a surprise ending: Is
it a fair ending? Is it justified by what else happens
in the story? What purpose does the surprise serve?)
9. What insights into the life of a business office
does the story provide? What kind of insight does the
story not provide? What is the story's greatest
improbability?
10. What is the main purpose of this story? Why do you
think that?
11. Identify 3 examples of IRONY in this story. Explain
the contrast/opposing sides in the irony.
12. What is the 'catbird seat'? What does it mean?
13. Write a statement expressing the main theme of this
story. Support your statement with reasons and
examples/details from the story.
14. Did you like this story? Why or why not? What did
you like/not like?
Submit these answers before starting the next assignment on
this story.
Label this file "Task 2 Catbird Ques"
:-)