In theory, humor holds a vital role within society by shining a spotlight on its quirks and imperfections, allowing members to acknowledge and mend these flaws. In his article "The Case for Comedy," published in the Atlantic Monthly, Thurber asserts, "The decline of humor and comedy in our time has a multiplicity of causes, a principal one being the ideological beating they have taken from both the intellectual left and the political right." Consequently, he notes, "only tragedy is [considered] serious and has importance." Yet, he argues that "comedy is just as important, and often more serious in its approach to truth, and, what few writers seem to realize or to admit, usually more difficult to write."

Thurber's Burlesque Debut

"An American Romance" marked Thurber's debut in the New Yorker, a product of a brisk forty-five-minute writing exercise brought to life in a 426-word story. Published on March 5, 1927, the piece draws inspiration from what Thurber himself described as a "burlesque of Channel swimming," though this connection might elude the uninitiated reader. Notably, the narrative introduces elements that would eventually become hallmarks of Thurber's storytelling.

At the forefront is the protagonist, known only as "the little man." Though reminiscent of figures from Robert Benchley's works and others, Thurber's character stands apart as a meek, diminutive figure, poorly dressed and fresh from a "distressing scene" with his wife. As he weaves in silent circles, both department store management and a policeman attempt to intimidate him, while a "specialist" endeavors to diagnose him, probing into whether he's ever been caught in a cyclone or endured a traumatic shock during a casual stroll.

A Comic Triumph

The little man’s persistent revolving spans four tireless hours, at the conclusion of which he secures a windfall of $45,000 from a "big chewing gum magnate from the West," along with over $100,000 in vaudeville and motion picture opportunities. When asked to explain his motivations, he resorts to a familiar refrain: "I did it for the wife and children."