From the Inside Out

From the Inside Out James Thurber’s short story “The Catbird Seat,” begins in medias res. Thurber introduces us to Mr. Erwin Martin, a structured individual entertaining thoughts of casual lunacy amongst his otherwise pedantic existence. The suspense in the short story is triggered even before the plot unfolds for it is clear that Mr. Erwin Martin, an efficient twenty year employee at F&S, is varying from his normal everyday routine. The suspense is …showed first 75 words of 598 total…

…showed last 75 words of 598 total…that his plan will be successful and uses her jargon “sitting in the catbird seat” to proclaim his success. (636) Mr. Martin’s prediction that Mrs. Barrows will immediately inform Mr. Fitweiler of Mr. Martin’s insane plot to murder him insures the end of all confusion at F&S. Mr. Fitweiler is certain that Mrs. Barrows has gone crazy, after all everyone at F&S knows that Mr. Martin is incapable of the acts accused.