Essay

So I ask my kids to write essays as practice for the upcoming ACT. I decided they need to see a good example, so I wrote an essay based on a short story from the high school reading list. It was a fun exercise, and I wanted to show that I'm not above doing the things I ask them to do. I haven't written an analytical essay since college, but I think it turned out great and I thought I'd share it with the blog world. Enjoy!

​“To be or not to be: that is the question.” This quip from Shakespeare’s Hamlet is one of the most famous examples of contrast in literature. In the same way that Shakespeare uses contrast to highlight Hamlet’s internal struggle, author James Thurber uses contrast to highlight the opposing characters in his short comedic story, “The Catbird Seat.” He pits Mr. Martin, a reliable and stoic file clerk, against Mrs. Barrows, the disorganized and unstable assistant to the company president. The drastic differences in their characters reveal the amusing results of Mr. Martin’s devious plot to use his and Mrs. Barrows’ contrasting personalities against her without implicating himself.

​Mr. Martin is a dependable file clerk for F&S Company.  His unchangeable temperament and work habits over his 20-year tenure with the company have established his character so solidly that it is difficult for anyone to question his motives. In contrast, Mrs. Barrows has a much more flighty sort of personality. Her boisterous chatter and annoying clichés oppose Mr. Martin’s stoic mannerisms. He finds their differences in behavior to be so incompatible that she constantly rubs him the wrong way, and he seeks to disparage her for his amusement.

While Mr. Martin seems to be straightforward and steadfast, he, ironically, has an conniving side to his character, which he uses against Mrs. Barrows in planning an attempt to undermine her authority and personality at work. Mr. Martin is meticulous in his strategy; no detail is left to chance. He knows that his reputation as one who is reliable will work in his favor as he attempts to convince her that in reality he is unstable. These facts play a vital role in the final showdown.

​In his scheming plan, Mr. Martin purchases a package of cigarettes – something he never does – and surprises Mrs. Barrows at home. She, of course, is surprised to see him but offers him a drink. When he takes the drink and begins to insult both herself and their supervisor, she accuses him of taking drugs and promises to report him. Mr. Martin acts out of character during his evening visit, but he knows that his reliable character at work will be his foundation of credibility. When Mrs. Barrows arrives at the office early to inform the company president of Mr. Martin’s indiscretions, she becomes hysterical when no one believes her. Mr. Martin is considered an innocent bystander to her outrage, and Mrs. Barrows is taken away for mental evaluation.

​Thurber’s amusing use of contrast entertains the reader; the reader knows the intent behind Mr. Martin’s seemingly uncharacteristic activities and finds delight when Mrs. Barrows reacts exactly as one would expect. The highlight of the story comes when Mr. Martin’s plan falls into place at the office: no one suspects him of duplicity. When his character and that of Mrs. Barrows are compared, no one doubts his. It would be expected that one who plans something so diabolical would be the one to be considered mentally unstable. Ironically, the opinion of the only one who knows the truth is discarded due to a contrast in character.