What is the underlying theme of 'The Catbird Seat' by James Thurber?

Answer 1

The surprise is that Mrs. Barrows is still alive at the end of the story when everyone in the story and reading it, except for Mrs. Barrows, wants to see her wearing a wooden kimono.

Perhaps a better test question type answer would be that the meek mild Mr. Martin, having failed to carry out his intended murder, never the less prevails over the strong willed domineering Mrs. Barrows by deftly changing his plan. He does and says things so out of character and so outlandish that when Mrs. Barrows reports all to Mr. Fitweiler the next day, she is immediately fired and hauled bodily from the office for being insane. This use of brains against brawn, succeeds in Mr. Martin now being as free of Mrs. Barrows as if he had actually gone through with the planned murder.

Answer 2

The title comes from the phrase "sitting in the catbird seat," which means being in a good position or situation to receive something beneficial in the future. In the story, Mr. Martin relates his plans to kill Mr. Fitweiler to Mrs Barrows and get away with it. She takes offense and promises to inform Mr. Fitweiler of his comments. He tells her not to say anything because he is in the catbird conveying the idea that he is in a good position to kill Mr. Fitweiler and get away with it. She informs on him the following day, but Mr. Fitweiler disbelieves her and fires her, thereby ridding Mr. Martin of his nemesis. Mr. Martin returns to his office and his work, sitting as he is in the catbird seat with nothing to worry about from Mrs. Barrows anymore.,

Answer 3

The underlying theme of "The Catbird Seat" is that even the most overbearing of women should not mess with and upset even the meekest of men, but that is James Thurber's view, not mine personally . . . well, not necessarily anyway.

Answer 4

The moral of the story 'The Catbird Seat' by James Thurber is to let sleeping dogs lie for even the most placid Poodle or Shihtzu might become a Rottweiler if pushed too far. There may be other morals as well.