Discuss how the American Civil War remains a living memory on the eve of and during World War I and infiltrates these stories.

How does Thurber deal with his limited vision in these stories?

How does Thurber deal with the issue of race early in the 20th century?

The Thurbers have several run-ins with the police in these stories. How is law enforcement depicted and what would be the Thurbers' likely fate nowadays? Give examples.

How does Thurber depict male/female communication issues? Give examples.

How does Thurber use asides—brief and extended—to enrich his stories? Is there anything detrimental about this writing technique?

In what ways does Thurber's attention to the details of early 20th-century life interfere with reading the book today? Pick one obscure reference, describe what it means to you, and then research its true meaning and context...