The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty By James Thurber Pdf
In 1939, James Thurber published "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" in The New Yorker, and the short story has since become an iconic piece of literature. The story follows the ordinary life of Walter Mitty, a man who escapes the monotony of his everyday existence through a series of vivid daydreams. In this article, we will explore the plot, characters, themes, and messages of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."
Plot Summary
The story begins with Walter Mitty driving his wife to her hair appointment. Mitty is a passive man who often daydreams to escape his mundane life. As he drives, he imagines himself as a skilled surgeon, a bold pilot, and a brave soldier. When he arrives at the parking lot, he is interrupted from his daydream by his wife, who scolds him for driving too fast. In the hair salon, Mitty picks up a copy of Liberty magazine, which features a story about a daring pilot who Mitty daydreams about becoming. As Mitty runs errands for his wife, he continues to daydream about being the hero of various exciting scenarios.
Throughout the story, Mitty's daydreams are interrupted by mundane tasks, such as parking the car and buying overshoes. When Mitty arrives at a hotel to meet his wife, he imagines himself as a brave commander leading his men into battle. The fantasy is interrupted by his wife, who scolds him for being late. Mitty then imagines himself as a suicidal man facing a firing squad. The story ends with Mitty standing in the rain, imagining himself as a brave man facing imminent death.
Character Analysis
Walter Mitty is the main character of the story. He is a passive man who escapes his mundane life through daydreams. Mitty's wife is a dominant character who scolds him throughout the story. She represents the real world that Mitty is trying to escape. The other characters in the story, such as the parking attendant and the hotel clerk, are minor and serve to interrupt Mitty's daydreams.
Themes and Messages
One of the main themes of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is the conflict between reality and fantasy. Mitty's daydreams allow him to escape his mundane life, but they also prevent him from engaging with the real world. Another theme is the emasculation of men in modern society. Mitty's daydreams are a manifestation of his desire to be a hero and assert his masculinity in a world that no longer values traditional masculine roles.
The story also contains a message about the power of imagination. Thurber suggests that imagination is an essential part of the human experience and that it allows us to transcend the limitations of reality. However, he also suggests that there is a danger in becoming too detached from reality and losing touch with the real world.
Conclusion
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is a timeless and iconic short story that continues to captivate readers today. Through the character of Walter Mitty, James Thurber explores themes of reality, fantasy, masculinity, and imagination. The story is a powerful reminder of the importance of balancing our dreams and desires with the realities of the world around us.
