James Thurber ranking among the great American humorists in the early twentieth century wrote a story called “University Days” sharing his experiences at Ohio State University. Author James Thurber makes implications by setting the humorous tone for it and showing his frustration about the Middle West higher education at that time. The writer commendably is not afraid of laughing at himself and makes an effort to appeal to realistic Americans concerned about the education of upcoming generations.
The story begins with a frustrated temper “ I PASSED ALL THE OTHER COURSES that I took at my University , but I could never pass botany”. Thurber was the fail in botany class. He didn’t see anything but “blackness or the familiar lacteal opacity” and also “a variegated constellation of flecks, specks and dots”, the reflection of his eyes. Thurber failed to make a drawing of plant cells because he was unable to see in the microscope with his thick lensed glasses. Poor eyesight is his major problem through his life, which leads to his unfinished degree in the university. It is usual that the situation took place at the time when the author was living. Thematically, Thurber points to the lack of personalization of the instruction at some universities. The university setting …show more content…
People were here forced to be stripped the day they registered, which means Thurber could not see anything without his glasses. However, he got friend to swim for him in his place. The university did make it easy for sporty people to get by but the typical student will not be allowed to wear his glasses. It is ironical that using his friend to swim for him was a "visual deceit”. The next comical example given is that one of his friends in gym class did not know what college he was in, such as Arts, Engineering, Commerce or Agriculture. "What college are you in?", " Ohio State University" he said promptly. It is the funny side of the
The story begins with a frustrated temper “ I PASSED ALL THE OTHER COURSES that I took at my University , but I could never pass botany”. Thurber was the fail in botany class. He didn’t see anything but “blackness or the familiar lacteal opacity” and also “a variegated constellation of flecks, specks and dots”, the reflection of his eyes. Thurber failed to make a drawing of plant cells because he was unable to see in the microscope with his thick lensed glasses. Poor eyesight is his major problem through his life, which leads to his unfinished degree in the university. It is usual that the situation took place at the time when the author was living. Thematically, Thurber points to the lack of personalization of the instruction at some universities. The university setting …show more content…
People were here forced to be stripped the day they registered, which means Thurber could not see anything without his glasses. However, he got friend to swim for him in his place. The university did make it easy for sporty people to get by but the typical student will not be allowed to wear his glasses. It is ironical that using his friend to swim for him was a "visual deceit”. The next comical example given is that one of his friends in gym class did not know what college he was in, such as Arts, Engineering, Commerce or Agriculture. "What college are you in?", " Ohio State University" he said promptly. It is the funny side of the