Transcript The Car We Had to Push by James Thurber

The Car We Had to Push
by James Thurber
BEFORE YOU READ
1894-1961
Meet James Thurber
Born in Columbus, Ohio
Lost an eye in a childhood accident
In 1927, he joined the staff of The New Yorker, a
famous magazine of the time
Was also a talented cartoonist
From 1929-1947, he wrote a book every year or
two
Best known for his short story, “The Secret Life of
Walter Mitty,” about a timid man who daydreamed
of taking part in heroic adventures
His later years were marred by unhappiness and ill
health (also lost sight in his remaining eye)

Click the picture
to learn about the
author.
Does everyone embrace new technologies with open
arms? In Thurber’s story, cars and electricity are relatively
new technologies. Before you read the story, think about
the following questions:
• Why might people fear a force or
machine that they do not fully
understand?
• What technologies have been
introduced in your lifetime?
Building Background
In the early twentieth century, cars were viewed as
exotic and unpredictable machines. Early cars ran on
steam and inspired fears about explosions. Later cars
had to be started manually, using a crank that the
motorist inserted into the front of the engine and
turned forcefully until the engine started.
Building Background
If the car backfired, the crank could kick back with enough
force to break bones. In addition, early cars regularly got flat
tires and lacked automatic transmissions, which allows the
driver to simply put the car into drive. Early cars were so
unreliable that many people made jokes about them, and
numerous laws required drivers to signal warnings to others
on the roads.
Setting Purposes for Reading
As you read this selection, think about why some of
the characters choose to try to trick another character
rather than deal with issues directly.
Setting Purposes for Reading
Dialogue
Dialogue is conversation between characters in a literary
work. Besides adding interest, dialogue can contribute to
characterization by revealing aspects of a character’s
personality. As you read “The Car We Had to Push,”
notice how the characters’ dialogue reveals aspects of
their personality and attitudes.
Making Generalizations About Characters
When you generalize about a character, you draw
upon various details to make a general statement
about that character. Such conclusions can enhance
the richness and meaning of a story. As you read, pay
attention to details that lead you to make
generalizations about characters.
repercussion n. an effect or result of some
action (p. 112) The repercussions of cheating
can be very serious.
exhortation n. a strong appeal or warning
(p. 113) The exhortations of the crowd
spurred on the runners.

Click a vocabulary term to listen to the definition.
contend v. to declare or maintain as a
fact; argue (p. 114) My mother contends
that I ate raw turnips as a child.
lucid adj. clear-headed, mentally alert
(p. 116) My father is lucid even when
half-asleep.

Click a vocabulary term to listen to the definition.
Summary
The narrator describes his family’s coming to terms with
technological advances. His mother was superstitious of
telephones, and his grandmother thought electricity leaked into
the house. His family had a car that had to be pushed. One day
his brother rigged the car so that a bundle of kitchen items would
fall out and told his father the engine had fallen out. The car was
finally destroyed when a street car ran into it.