The Secret Life of Walter MittyThe Secret Life of Walter Mitty

James ThurberJames Thurber

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Why do you daydreamWhy do you daydream DAYDREAMSDAYDREAMS Most people daydream and use daydreams Most people daydream and use daydreams

as some form of escape. as some form of escape. Authors write about universal behaviors in Authors write about universal behaviors in

order to create characters and situations order to create characters and situations that have universal appeal. Humorists do that have universal appeal. Humorists do this with absurdities or incongruities that this with absurdities or incongruities that they observe in human nature. they observe in human nature.

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James Thurber was a humorist who liked to James Thurber was a humorist who liked to write about peculiarities and quirks of write about peculiarities and quirks of behavior he found in humanity. behavior he found in humanity.

In his short story, “In his short story, “The Secret Life of The Secret Life of Walter MittyWalter Mitty,” Thurber created a character ,” Thurber created a character whose daydreams contrast dramatically and whose daydreams contrast dramatically and comically with his actual life. It’s going to be comically with his actual life. It’s going to be your job to figure out why he’s doing it, what your job to figure out why he’s doing it, what starts it, and stops it. starts it, and stops it.

BackgroundBackground

Who hasn't gotten through a boring day by imagining they Who hasn't gotten through a boring day by imagining they were somewhere else, someone else, doing something were somewhere else, someone else, doing something different? Whether you pretend you're decoding spy codes different? Whether you pretend you're decoding spy codes when finishing your calculus homework, or that you're a when finishing your calculus homework, or that you're a dangerous Mafioso when your mother makes you take out dangerous Mafioso when your mother makes you take out the garbage, or that you're an the garbage, or that you're an FBI agent gathering intel agent gathering intel when you're waiting in line at the supermarket, you when you're waiting in line at the supermarket, you probably know what we're talking about. The imagination is probably know what we're talking about. The imagination is something we all use – possibly something we all need – to something we all use – possibly something we all need – to make our lives more interesting.make our lives more interesting.

Background ContinuedBackground Continued

Some view "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" as the Some view "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" as the endearing story of a loveable man whose rather endearing story of a loveable man whose rather humorous, dramatic fantasies are harmlessly humorous, dramatic fantasies are harmlessly employed to get him through a dull day of errands. employed to get him through a dull day of errands. Others see darker themes at work here. Perhaps Others see darker themes at work here. Perhaps the story's message is that a dreamer can't survive the story's message is that a dreamer can't survive in this world; or maybe that dreams are insufficient in this world; or maybe that dreams are insufficient to compensate for what bothers us in reality. Any to compensate for what bothers us in reality. Any way you cut it, there are tough questions and way you cut it, there are tough questions and hilarity to be found in "The Secret Life of Walter hilarity to be found in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." Mitty."

SETTINGSETTING

1939 or 19401939 or 1940 New EnglandNew England

CHARACTERSCHARACTERS

Walter MittyWalter Mitty Mrs. MittyMrs. Mitty Walter Mitty is the protagonistWalter Mitty is the protagonist Mrs. Mitty and his daydreams are the Mrs. Mitty and his daydreams are the

antagonistsantagonists

Read “ The Secret Life of Walter Read “ The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”Mitty”

Key VocabularyKey Vocabulary

1. Pandemonium – 1. Pandemonium – 2. Disdain – 2. Disdain – 3. Inscrutable – 3. Inscrutable –

Answer the following questionsAnswer the following questions

1. What is Walter Mitty saying about life 1. What is Walter Mitty saying about life when he imagines himself in front of a firing when he imagines himself in front of a firing squad? squad?

2. What type of marriage does Walter Mitty 2. What type of marriage does Walter Mitty have? have?

Outline ActivityOutline Activity

There is no plot chart for There is no plot chart for “The Secret Life of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"Walter Mitty" , it is too crazy to plot , it is too crazy to plot

SummarySummary

"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" tells the story of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" tells the story of the aging Walter Mitty on a trip into town with his the aging Walter Mitty on a trip into town with his overbearing wife, Mrs. Mitty. Walter is inept at overbearing wife, Mrs. Mitty. Walter is inept at many things; he is an absent-minded driver, he many things; he is an absent-minded driver, he can't handle simple mechanical tasks, and he can't handle simple mechanical tasks, and he forgets things easily. What makes Walter forgets things easily. What makes Walter exceptional is his imagination.exceptional is his imagination.

Summary ContinuedSummary Continued

While Walter goes through a day of ordinary tasks and While Walter goes through a day of ordinary tasks and errands, he escapes into a series of romantic fantasies, errands, he escapes into a series of romantic fantasies, each spurred on by some mundane reality. As he drives his each spurred on by some mundane reality. As he drives his car, he imagines he is commanding "a Navy hydroplane" car, he imagines he is commanding "a Navy hydroplane" through a terrible storm (1). When he rides past a hospital, through a terrible storm (1). When he rides past a hospital, he imagines he is a world-famous surgeon saving a VIP's he imagines he is a world-famous surgeon saving a VIP's life. When he hears a newsboy shouting about a trial, he life. When he hears a newsboy shouting about a trial, he imagines he is a crack shot being interrogated in the imagines he is a crack shot being interrogated in the courtroom. As he waits for his wife to finish at the courtroom. As he waits for his wife to finish at the hairdresser's, Walter sees pictures of German plane and hairdresser's, Walter sees pictures of German plane and imagines he is a British pilot willing to sacrifice his life for imagines he is a British pilot willing to sacrifice his life for his country. his country.

Summary ContinuedSummary Continued

Lastly, as Mitty waits outside against a wall Lastly, as Mitty waits outside against a wall for his wife to buy something in a drugstore, for his wife to buy something in a drugstore, he fantasizes that he is a bold and brave he fantasizes that he is a bold and brave man about to be shot by a firing squad. The man about to be shot by a firing squad. The story ends with the inscrutable Walter Mitty story ends with the inscrutable Walter Mitty awaiting this romantic death. awaiting this romantic death.

POINT OF VIEWPOINT OF VIEW::

33rdrd person (limited Omniscient) person (limited Omniscient) "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is told by an "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is told by an

uninvolved third person narrator, though that point uninvolved third person narrator, though that point of view is limited to Walter Mitty. We follow Mitty of view is limited to Walter Mitty. We follow Mitty through his day, and we only get to see or know through his day, and we only get to see or know the things that Mitty himself sees or knows. The the things that Mitty himself sees or knows. The result, in this story, is that the narration puts us on result, in this story, is that the narration puts us on Walter's side. We feel closer to him because we're Walter's side. We feel closer to him because we're getting the story through his point of view. Though getting the story through his point of view. Though the narration is, technically, third person, many of the narration is, technically, third person, many of the events are filtered through Walter's eyes. the events are filtered through Walter's eyes.

CONFLICT CONFLICT

Internal--- Walter vs. his daydreamInternal--- Walter vs. his daydream External– Walter vs. his nagging wifeExternal– Walter vs. his nagging wife

Pocketa-Pocketa-Pocketa…Pocketa-Pocketa-Pocketa…

We first hear this sound in reference to the "Navy hydroplane" that We first hear this sound in reference to the "Navy hydroplane" that Walter steers through a violent storm; he imagines it's the "pounding of Walter steers through a violent storm; he imagines it's the "pounding of the cylinders" (1). Later, in Walter's fantasy surgery, the "new the cylinders" (1). Later, in Walter's fantasy surgery, the "new anesthetizer" gives way and makes the same sound (6). Finally, when anesthetizer" gives way and makes the same sound (6). Finally, when Mitty imagines himself a British pilot, flame-throwers make the same Mitty imagines himself a British pilot, flame-throwers make the same noise. It might be that this is the sound of the car engine, which Walter noise. It might be that this is the sound of the car engine, which Walter first hears when he's driving into town with his wife – although we do first hears when he's driving into town with his wife – although we do hear the "pocketa pocketa" again when Walter is sitting in the lobby, hear the "pocketa pocketa" again when Walter is sitting in the lobby, not in his car.not in his car.

Regardless of where the "pocketa pocketa" originates, we do know Regardless of where the "pocketa pocketa" originates, we do know that the sound provides a solid link between the real world and that the sound provides a solid link between the real world and Walter's fantasies, as well as a common link between his multiple Walter's fantasies, as well as a common link between his multiple fantasies. It's one of the many comic elements of the story – the same fantasies. It's one of the many comic elements of the story – the same funny sound cropping up over and over again – and it lends a tangible, funny sound cropping up over and over again – and it lends a tangible, permanent element to Mitty's various fantasies. permanent element to Mitty's various fantasies.

Mitty's Bumbling JargonMitty's Bumbling Jargon

Mitty fantasizes about being a Commander or a pilot or a Mitty fantasizes about being a Commander or a pilot or a surgeon or a crack shot, but in fact, he is none of these surgeon or a crack shot, but in fact, he is none of these things. And as such, he doesn't really know what he's things. And as such, he doesn't really know what he's talking about. When he imagines being a surgeon, for talking about. When he imagines being a surgeon, for example, he fantasizes that "Coreopsis has set in" (6). This example, he fantasizes that "Coreopsis has set in" (6). This isn't so much a disease as it is…a plant, rather similar to a isn't so much a disease as it is…a plant, rather similar to a daisy. And the gun Walter imagines in the courtroom? A daisy. And the gun Walter imagines in the courtroom? A "Webley-Vickers 50.80," or a gun with a three-foot barrel "Webley-Vickers 50.80," or a gun with a three-foot barrel (10). Again, this is part of the humor of "The Secret Life of (10). Again, this is part of the humor of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." His fantasies read more like exaggerated Walter Mitty." His fantasies read more like exaggerated parodies of adventure stories than like genuine drama. parodies of adventure stories than like genuine drama.

Overshoes and GlovesOvershoes and Gloves

Mrs. Mitty badgers Walter to buy overshoes at the Mrs. Mitty badgers Walter to buy overshoes at the store; she also insists that he wear his gloves store; she also insists that he wear his gloves while driving. It seems to us that a lot of what she while driving. It seems to us that a lot of what she does to Walter has to do with sheltering him from does to Walter has to do with sheltering him from the world. After all, she won't let him do simple the world. After all, she won't let him do simple things for himself (like take his own temperature, things for himself (like take his own temperature, or take the chains off his car, or make basic or take the chains off his car, or make basic decisions), and this is a big part of the reason he decisions), and this is a big part of the reason he spends so much time fantasizing. If this is true, spends so much time fantasizing. If this is true, then the gloves and overshoes might be symbols then the gloves and overshoes might be symbols of the way Mrs. Mitty tries to shield or protect her of the way Mrs. Mitty tries to shield or protect her husband from the world. husband from the world.

THEMETHEME

Escapism: the tendency to retreat from Escapism: the tendency to retreat from unpleasant truths in everyday life into a unpleasant truths in everyday life into a world of daydreams and fantasyworld of daydreams and fantasy

Other Literary ElementsOther Literary Elements

Onomatopoeia--is a term used to describe Onomatopoeia--is a term used to describe when a word imitates a sound. What are when a word imitates a sound. What are some examples of onomatopoeia in the some examples of onomatopoeia in the story? story?

Satire--a piece of writing that pokes fun at Satire--a piece of writing that pokes fun at human failings of short comingshuman failings of short comings

Mitty’s shortcomings- his need for escapism Mitty’s shortcomings- his need for escapism

Hero and AntiheroHero and Antihero

Hero: character who behaves bravely and does great Hero: character who behaves bravely and does great deeds. Heroes are typically strong, resourceful, and self-deeds. Heroes are typically strong, resourceful, and self-sacrificingsacrificing

Mitty’s fantasyMitty’s fantasy Antihero: central character who lack all the qualities Antihero: central character who lack all the qualities

traditionally associated with heroes. Often they are timid, traditionally associated with heroes. Often they are timid, cowardly, and weak, but the reader sympathizes with the cowardly, and weak, but the reader sympathizes with the struggles they face.struggles they face.

Mitty’s real lifeMitty’s real life

DaydreamsDaydreams Boat Pilot– drive in the rainBoat Pilot– drive in the rain Surgeon- driving past the hospital and Surgeon- driving past the hospital and

putting gloves onputting gloves on On trial for murder- hearing the newspaper On trial for murder- hearing the newspaper

boy shouting and arm in a slingboy shouting and arm in a sling Airplane pilot- Reading an article about Airplane pilot- Reading an article about

Germans in the airGermans in the air Firing Squad– Smoking a cigarette in a Firing Squad– Smoking a cigarette in a

rainstorm and nagging wiferainstorm and nagging wife

PandemoniumPandemonium

scene of wild disorder, noise, or confusionscene of wild disorder, noise, or confusion Pandemonium broke loose in the courtroom.Pandemonium broke loose in the courtroom.

DisdainDisdain

feeling, attitude, or expression of scornfeeling, attitude, or expression of scorn Then, with that faint, fleeting smile playing Then, with that faint, fleeting smile playing

about his lips, he faced the firing squad; about his lips, he faced the firing squad; erect and motionless, proud and disdainful, erect and motionless, proud and disdainful, Walter Mitty the Undefeated, inscrutable to Walter Mitty the Undefeated, inscrutable to the last.the last.

InscrutableInscrutable

cannot be easily understood; mysteriouscannot be easily understood; mysterious

What is Walter Mitty saying about life when he What is Walter Mitty saying about life when he imagines himself in front of a firingimagines himself in front of a firing

squadsquad His life is miserableHis life is miserable It is like being in a front of a firing squadIt is like being in a front of a firing squad The lighting of the cigarette and the sleet The lighting of the cigarette and the sleet

caused him to have this daydreamcaused him to have this daydream

What type of marriage does Walter What type of marriage does Walter Mitty have?Mitty have?

Miserable…that’s why he daydreams.Miserable…that’s why he daydreams.

His wife nags him all of the timeHis wife nags him all of the time

His wife and his daydreams are the His wife and his daydreams are the antagonists of the storyantagonists of the story

Literature Journal Literature Journal Explain what happens to Mitty in the Explain what happens to Mitty in the

daydream, what happens to him daydream, what happens to him immediately after he awakes from his immediately after he awakes from his dream and why this is funny. dream and why this is funny.