The Catbird Seat

Characterization of Mrs. Barrows?

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As the "newly appointed special adviser to the president of the firm" of F&S, Mrs. Barrows has been hired to "bring out the best" in the company. In eighteen months on the job (which she obtained by cuddling up to the president, Mr. Fitweiler, at a party) she has fired three loyal employees, driven another to resign, and made changes in nearly every department. Now she plans to reorganize Mr. Martin's area, the filing department.

Mr. Martin despises her large and commanding presence, her loud "quacking voice and braying laugh," and her habit of repeating the colorful phrases of her favorite baseball announcer, Red Barber. When she reports Mr. Martin's shocking threats, Fitweiler does not believe her. Instead, he summons a psychiatrist. In a rage she screams accusations at Martin, confirming Fitweiler's belief that she has gone mad.

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