Thurber on Memoir and Satire
Born and raised in Columbus, OH Comedic parents, esp. his mother Went to East High School and OSU Never graduated college b/c of his lost eyesight Reporter for Columbus Dispatch Essayist, Humorist, Cartoonist for The New Yorker magazine, Satirist, Dramatist, Memoir and Fiction Writer (“Secret Life of Walter Mitty”) Thurber House: dedicated to local writers; holds writing workshops
Memoir, according to the “greats” to whom Thurber alludes, is personal nonfiction that: is written by a man over forty who has ‘accomplished something of excellence.’ should say something of the time describes great and tragic events, such as earthquakes, from a personal POV This memoir, written by a man under forty with no great exploits to describe, is more of a “humorous” piece, a satire of the memoir.
A satire is a humorous critique of a person, society, or genre, usually highlighting its shortcomings. Therefore, while a satiric piece is supposed to be comical and even laugh- out-loud funny at times, it often has a serious purpose or effect. SNL, MAD Magazine, The Simpsons, South Park, Family Guy, Canterbury Tales, A Modest Proposal, to name a few.
To make it humorous and obviously a critique instead of part of the genre it simulates, it employs Irony Juxtaposition and ridiculous comparison Hyperbole Puns Recognizable allusions and context Stock characters, such as the Fool Logical fallacies taken as fact
Optimist Positive outcomes and intentions Pessimist Negative outcomes and intentions Cynic Selfishness motivates human actions Skeptic Questions the validity of something “factual” Realist Logical acceptance of reality Idealist Pursues noble principles, purposes, goals, etc.
This is a fairly accurate depiction of Thurber’s life, so it can be considered memoir of realism. However, the use of satiric elements suggests that he is making a critical point, as well. What point is Thurber making about memoir, critics, or contemporary society? What kind of critic is Thurber?