In "The Night The Ghost Got In", James Thurber recounts the chaos that ensues one night when he hears a ghostly presence in his house on November 17, 1915.
The narrator, a young Thurber, hears.....
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Character | Fear | Reaction |
---|---|---|
1) Narrator | Ghosts | ________________ |
2) _________________ | Ghosts | Slams the door shut |
3) Mother | ______________ | Decides to call the police |
4) Police | _____________ | ____________ |
Character | Fear | Reaction |
---|---|---|
1) Narrator | Ghosts | Avoids haunted locations |
2) Sibling | Ghosts | Slams the door shut |
3) Mother | Intruders | Decides to call the police |
4) Police | Danger | Proceeds with caution |
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What made the narrator realise that the noises were being made by a ghost and not a burglar?
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Sign up nowIf there was a ghost in the house, was it responsible for the hullabaloo in the house? If not, then who was/were?
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Sign up nowSometimes unexpected behaviour can create a lot of humour. Give two such examples of unexpected behaviour of the policemen.
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Sign up now"We'll sell the house and go back to Peoria," (para 9)
a. What does this statement by Mrs Bodwell tell us about her neighbours?
b. How do you think the Bodwells feel at this moment?
c. Do you think the way the narrator's mother communicated with her neighbour was clever or practical? Have there been real burglars in the house? Why or why not?
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Sign up now"There were two or three of them," mother said, "whooping and carrying on and slamming doors." (para 12)
a. How does the narrator's mother's account of the noises differ from what the narrator heard?
b. Can you tell what mistake his mother was making here?
c. What do you think was the policemen's opinion on the matter? Why did they think so?
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Sign up nowIt was true that a pet guinea pig we once had would never sleep anywhere except on the zither, but I should never have said so. (para 13)
a. Why does the narrator say that he shouldn't have said the truth?
b. Give one more example from the text where saying the truth did not help the narrator.
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Sign up now"Just what the hell is the real lowdown here, Bud?" (para 16)
a. Why does the reporter ask what is the 'real lowdown'?
b. Is there anyone else who has the same question in mind?
c. What do you think the reporter concludes from the narrator's frank answer?
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Sign up now"What was the idea of all them cops tarry hootin' round the house last night?" he demanded. (para 18)
a. Was grandfather aware that the men in his attic were policemen and not 'deserters'?
b. If he was aware, then why did he pretend that they were deserters and attack them?
c. What does it tell us about grandfather's character?
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Sign up nowSometimes humour does not need to be explained or pointed out. It becomes apparent from the actions of the characters. Read these lines from the text and match them to the reason why they are funny.
A | B |
---|---|
a. "I'll stay with mother," he said. "She's all excited." | i. dialect (a particular way a language is spoken in a specific region) |
b. ... mother suddenly made as if to throw another shoe, not because there was further need of it but because of the thrill of heaving a shoe through a window glass... | ii. imagery (the visual description) |
c. "This guy," he explained to the others, jerking a thumb at me, "was nekked. The lady seems historical." | iii. dialogue |
d. He bounded out of bed wearing a long flannel nightgown over long woollen underwear, a nightcap, and a leather jacket around his chest. | iv. action |
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Sign up now'The Night the Ghost Got In' is an example of deadpan comedy or dry humour. It means that the excitement and fun become apparent from the neutral tone of the narration. Here, the part of a sensible person is played by the narrator and his plain description of extraordinary events evokes laughter. Here are two examples:
a. The ghost that got into our house on the night of November 17,1915 , raised such a hullabaloo of misunderstandings that I am sorry I didn't just let it keep on walking, and go to bed.
b. "What was all that running around downstairs?" said mother. So she had heard the steps, too! We just looked at her.
The story is filled with such 'deadpan' observations. Find as many as you can.
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Sign up now"The police were on hand in a commendably short time: a Ford sedan full of them, two on motorcycles, and a patrol wagon with about eight in it and a few reporters." (para 10)
a. Why do you think the police showed up in such large numbers for a supposed burglary?
b. How does the heavy police presence add to the chaos and confusion of the situation?
a. The police showed up in such large numbers for a supposed burglary because the report of the crime seemed serious.
b. The heavy police presence adds to the chaos and confusion of the situation because, with so many people present, it becomes difficult to discern who is doing what and why. The police arriving en masse also increases the dramatic tension of the story, highlighting the misunderstandings and comedy of the situation.
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"The slamming of the doors had aroused mother: she peered out of her room." (para 4)
a. What does this sentence reveal about the mother's attentiveness and protective instincts towards her family? b. How does the mother's reaction contribute to the escalation of the situation?
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Sign up nowDiscuss the role of the family's pet and its unique sleeping habits in adding to the humour of the story.
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Unlock now 🔓James Thurber is a renowned American cartoonist, humorist, and author, best known for his witty short stories and cartoons that were frequently published in The New Yorker magazine in the mid-20th century. He was born on December 8, 1894, in Columbus, Ohio and started his career as a reporter for the Columbus Dispatch. He later moved to New York, where he worked for The New Yorker, sharing his humorous essays and original illustrations. His essays, often based on his own experiences, comprise amusing and relatable narratives of everyday life.
One of Thurber's most well-known short stories is "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," which has been adapted into film on two occasions. His works are noted for their satirical tone and the balance they strike between the humorous and the deeply serious, providing commentary on the human condition and societal norms.
In addition to writing, Thurber was also a prominent cartoonist known for his simple yet expressive line drawings. Despite losing sight in one eye in a childhood accident and slowly losing sight in the other over his lifetime, Thurber continued to draw and write until his death on November 2, 1961. His legacy continues to influence American literature and humour.
In "The Night The Ghost Got In", James Thurber recounts the chaos that ensues one night when he hears a ghostly presence in his house on November 17, 1915.
The narrator, a young Thurber, hears.....
1. Humor in Everyday Life:
Thurber uses humour as a primary tool in "The Night the Ghost Got In", turning an ordinary night into a chaotic comedic tale filled with misunderstandings. Through the absurd reactions of the characters and their extreme interpretations of.......
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The story begins with Thurber’s introduction of the significant event of the evening of November 17, 1915, when he heard 'ghostly' footsteps in the.......
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Unlock now 🔓1. "The ghost that got into our house on the night of November 17, 1915, raised such a hullabaloo of misunderstandings that I am sorry I didn't just .......
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