SUBJECT: ENGLISH CLASS: XII (Science & Commerce)

The Day The Dam Broke

James Groves Thurber (1894 – 1961)
INTRODUCTION AND STYLE OF AUTHOR:
“The Day The Dam Broke” is written by James Groves Thurber who is one the famous American humourists of modern
times. He has written a number of witty and humourous articles. Among his most extra-ordinary and entertaining books
are “The Seal in the Bedroom”, “Men, women and dongs” and “Let your mine alone”.
MAIN THEME OF STORY:
“The Day the Dam Broke” is an amusing, interesting, entertaining and humourous short story in which writer, JAMES
THURBER depicts the mob mentality with great dexterity. It is a good example of Thurber’s sardonic but affectionate
view of human behavior. It also represents Thurber’s remarkable power of observation of human nature .The author wishes
to bring out the foolish and harmful effects of mob mentality which drives people to commit great blunders. It also shows
that in calamity, people of sound reason and profound understanding also behave in a ridiculous manner. It presents an
amazing and very realistic picture of people’s unreasonable behaviour on hearing an alarming rumour.

SUMMARY:
James Thurber recalls an interesting incident of his early childhood when he lived in Columbus City, situated near the Ohio
River in the U.S.A. All of a sudden, on March 12, 1913 a rumour spread that the River Ohio was in flood and the water
would rush towards the city as the dam had broken. The people became panicky after hearing the rumour and came out on
the High Street. They started running towards the East for safety without confirming the news about the flood. In calamity
ever rumour is believed. Men, Women and children were running helter-skelter towards the East. Normal business was
going on in the market, but when the rumour spread about the flood, the people who were busy in selling and buying,
started to run in utter confusion for saving their lives. Two thousand people were abruptly in full right. Go East! Go East!
The Dam has Broken was the clarion cry, being heard everywhere.
The writer’s aunt Edith Taylor was in a movie theatre, she wrote:
“When I reached Grant Avenue, I was so spent that Dr. H.P Mallory passed me, there was a boy behind him on roller-
skates and Dr. Mallory mistook the swishing of the skates for the sound of rushing water. He eventually reached the
Columbus School for Girls where he collapsed.”
The panic-stricken people ran out for safety leaving fires burning and food cooking and doors wide open. Some of the
people covered the distance 12 miles in order to save their lives. At last the military men riding through the city in motor-
lorries announced that the news about the flood was false and that the dam had not broken. At first the announcement added
to the confusion and increased the panic, for many stampedes the militiamen were announcing, The Dam has now broken!
Thus, setting an official seal of authentication on the calamity. But after repeated announcements the misunderstanding was
removed and order was restored. The people heaved a sigh of relief when they heard that the dame had not broken. The
people returned to their homes and started their normal business the next day, but they did not joke about the happenings of
the previous day. It is rightly said: “How much have cost us the evils that never happened.” - Jefferson

CONCLUSION:
This story is a good study of human behaviour. It shows that men lose all there wit and wisdom in a panic. In fact, this
humorous story is also a satire on human follies. “The mob has many heads but no brains.” - Rivarol
Through all the funny references Thurber has tried to point out that all of us no matter how serious and sober, behave in
one and the same idiotic manner when we are thrown in a trying situation.
“Stuffing the ear with false report.” - William Shakespeare
Thurber has presented, in this story, his sardonic but affectionate view of life. It is a commendable effort to tell something
serious through fun and laughter. But in fact, the author has tried to study human characters thrown in difficult and trying
circumstances because: “Man alone suffered so cruelly in the world that he was compelled to invent laughter.” - Nietzche
Prepared By: Nijat Ansari
(M.A English)
SUBJECT: ENGLISH CLASS: XII (Science & Commerce)
Multiple Choice Questions (M. C. Qs)
1. James Groves Thurber died in __________:
a) 1961 b) 1975 c) 1985 d) 1980

2. James Groves Thurber is one of the foremost ______ humorist of the modern times:
a) American b) Italian c) British d) German

3. The word sardonic means:

a) Bitter b) Humorous c) Mocking and sarcastic d) Kind

4. The writer says that they were both _______ and demoralized by the experience.
a) Ennobled b) Demoralized c) Frightened d) Excited

5. Grand Father was a hurdle in their flight from the house. This problem was solved by:
a) Convincing him b) Making him unconscious c) Carrying him d) Scolding him

6. Grand Father was taller than _______ feet.

a) Five b) Six c) Seven d) Eight

7. The rumor spread ______ that the dam had given way.
a) Meekly b) Ear to ear c) Like a grass fire d) Slowly

8. The rumor about the breaking dam began at noon on:

a) 14th August, 1947 b) 1st April,1900 c) 18th January, 1906 d) 12th March, 1913

9. In the author’s assessment __________ were abruptly in full flight.

a) One Thousand b) Two Thousand `c) Five Thousand d) Ten Thousand

10. Author’s aunt Edith Taylor was in ______:

a) Beauty Parlor b) A Boutique c) A Movie Theater d) The Mall

Important Guess Questions

Q: What can we gather about grandfather’s age physique and metal condition?
Q: How does the panic appear to have started?
Q: How did the writer’s mother cope with the situation?
Q: What caused the lieutenant colonel of infantry to lead a fleeing company of 300 soldiers?
Q: How did the panic start in the cinema on High Street?
Q: Why did Dr. Mallory think that flood waters were about to engulf him?
Q: Why did the citizens of Columbus not care to talk about the events of the 12 th March, 1913?
Q: Thurber’s sardonic but affectionate view in ‘The Day The Dam Broke’?
Q: How long did the panic last in the lesson The Day The Dam Broke and how was the order restored?

Prepared By: Nijat Ansari

(M.A English)