Exploring Walter Mitty's Dual Realities Through Daydreams
Walter Mitty, a character in James Thurber's story, lives a mundane reality juxtaposed with vivid daydreams where he transforms into confident, skilled personas such as a commander in the military or a heroic doctor. Thurber skillfully contrasts Mitty's insecure, forgetful reality with his adventurous, capable daydream self, highlighting the escapism and internal conflict within Mitty's psyche. Through clever characterization, Thurber portrays Mitty's yearning for excitement and competence while grappling with feelings of inadequacy in his everyday life.
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The Secret Life The Secret Life of Walter of Walter Mitty By James Thurber Mitty
Daydream Balloons Daydream Balloons
Sparked by driving a car in the cold, rain Daydream One Walter Mitty is a commander in the military and it is up to him to be in charge and fly the plane through the hurricane- fearless hero What is Walter Mitty like in reality compared to his daydream self? Mitty was driving too fast and Mrs. Mitty yells at him to slow down-nags him
Walter Walter Mitty Mitty Reality Useless Insecure Timid Incompetent Inadequate at simple tasks forgetful Daydreams Confident Successful Outgoing Courageous Skillful Mastery of intense tasks
How does Thurber use How does Thurber use characterization to characterization to develop Walter develop Walter Mitty s character? character? Mitty s
Sparked by passing a hospital- Mrs. Mitty was nagging him about seeing his doctor Daydream Two Walter Mitty is a famous doctor-the specialists can t fix the machine and save the millionaire banker (important patient) but Dr. Mitty is the hero who fixes the machine and operates to save the patient when no one else can do it! Are Mitty s daydreams interfering with his real life? The parking lot attendant yells at him because Mitty is having trouble parking his car in the lot and went in through exit only Parking lot attendant has to park his car for him
Sparked by a newsboy selling newspapers about a current trial Walter Mitty is the defendant in a trial accused of committing murder (expert with guns)- admits that with arm in a sling he could still have shot the gun 300 feet away- incriminates self to show how skillful he is with guns! Daydream Three He says puppy biscuits aloud- remembers his wife asks him to pick it up and a lady laughs at him poking fun for saying puppy biscuit
Mitty is captain in a battle and is planning to fly a bomber to blow up enemy ammunition- so arrogant about the task that he drinks too much brandy before the mission Sparked by Liberty Magazine showing pictures of the war Daydream Four Mrs. Mitty is annoyed that SHE had to wait for him. What kind of character is Mrs. Mitty? Do you think that this adds to his daydreaming?
Walter Mitty is leaning on the wall facing the firing squad and he dies a war hero-killed by the enemy Daydream is sparked By Mrs. Mitty nags him about being forgetful and making her wait, so she leaves him outside to wait for her again Day Dream Five Walter Mitty stands confident knowing that he is inscrutable to the end- misunderstood/not easily interpreted until the end- his wife will never understand him!
How does Walter Mitty misuse Jargon? Why does the author do this to add to the character development of Walter Mitty?
