Appreciates humor in life; can laugh at himself; loves his family and cherishes his memories

Thurber's essay is an account of his family life as a child, written to entertain

From his ignorance of cars to boys at school identifying all cars to his interest in Get-Ready Man's car.

the Get-Ready Man's car: a big Red Devil with a door in the back

streetcar crushed it beyond repair

He thought someone had died. His dementia caused him great confusion, and he assumed the death was of his brother Zenas.

trouble starting the car; "it wouldn't go unless you pushed it and let your clutch out."

-mother was most afraid of the Victrola; thought it dangerous to drive a car without gasoline -grandmother was horribly suspicious of electricity;

when family weeps for the car, grandfather thinks someone has died