James ThurberBiographies and “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”Vocabulary

humorist

noun - a humorous writer, performer, or artist.

fledging

noun - a person or organization that is immature, inexperienced, or underdeveloped

cantankerous

adjective -- bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.

sketches

noun -- a short humorous play or performance, consisting typically of one scene in a comedy program.

antihero

noun -- a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes.

ambivalence

noun -- the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone

boorish

adjective -- rough and bad-mannered; coarse.

parochial

adjective - having a limited or narrow outlook or scope.

rakishly

adverb – in a casual, stylish manner

distraught

adjective -- troubled

haggard

adjective – wasted or worn in appearance

craven

adjective – very fearful; cowardly

insolent

adjective – boldly disrespectful

bickering

verb – used as adjective -- quarreling over something unimportant squabbling

bedlam

noun – place or condition of great noise and confusion

rending

verb used as a noun – ripping apart

inscrutable

adjective -- mysterious