James Thurber Biographies and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” Vocabulary

humorist noun - a humorous writer, performer, or artist.

fledging noun - a person or organization that is immature, inexperienced, or underdeveloped

cantankerous adjective -- bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.

sketches noun -- a short humorous play or performance, consisting typically of one scene in a comedy program.

antihero noun -- a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes.

ambivalence noun -- the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

boorish adjective -- rough and bad-mannered; coarse.

parochial adjective - having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.

rakishly adverb – in a casual, stylish manner

distraught adjective -- troubled

haggard adjective – wasted or worn in appearance

craven adjective – very fearful; cowardly

insolent adjective – boldly disrespectful

bickering verb – used as adjective -- quarreling over something unimportant squabbling

bedlam noun – place or condition of great noise and confusion

rending verb used as a noun – ripping apart

inscrutable adjective -- mysterious