Introduction: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber was originally published in 1939 in The New Yorker magazine. The short story explores the escapist fantasies of its eponymous protagonist, a meek man who finds solace in elaborate daydreams. Thurber masterfully contrasts Walter Mitty’s ordinary life with his extravagant inner world, where he assumes roles of heroism and significance. This juxtaposition offers a nuanced commentary on the human desire for escape and the complex relationship between reality and imagination.
Main Events in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
- Walter Mitty, a middle-aged man, is on a trip to run errands with his wife.
- While his wife is in a hair appointment, Walter daydreams about being a heroic military pilot.
- Walter is brought back to reality by his wife’s nagging, and they drive to a parking lot.
- Walter daydreams again, this time as a surgeon performing a dangerous operation.
- Walter is interrupted by his wife, who chastises him for driving too fast and orders him to buy overshoes.
- Walter’s daydreams continue, this time as a daring defendant in a courtroom drama.
- Back in reality, Walter forgets his wife’s orders and buys dog biscuits instead of overshoes.
- In his final daydream, Walter imagines himself as a heroic man facing a firing squad.
- Walter is brought back to reality by a parking attendant, who tells him he’s been driving in circles.
- Walter drops off his wife at the hair salon, gets lost in another daydream, and imagines himself dying bravely in a hail of bullets.
Literary Devices in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
| Literary Device | Example | Explanation |
| Alliteration | “The hands of the man at the wheel grasped the wheel tightly.” | Repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words for emphasis. |
| Analogy | “Mrs. Mitty was determined, like a bulldog sinking its teeth into an old shoe.” | Compares two things to show a similarity, using “like” or “as.” |
| Assonance | “He couldn’t remember what it was she had wanted.” | Repetition of vowel sounds within nearby words for a musical effect. |
| Direct Characterization | “Mrs. Mitty, who possessed a determined chin and a pair of capable hands, pulled out a street map.” | The author directly tells the reader about a character’s traits. |
| Hyperbole | “The pounding of the cylinders increased: ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa. It’s eight cylinders, the engine said. Eight fists pummeling at the walls of his chest.” | An exaggeration used for emphasis or humor. |
| Imagery | “The water rushed beneath his shoes; the cold slapped his ankles.” | Vivid descriptions that engage the reader’s senses. |
| Irony (Situational) | “Mrs. Mitty fumbled in her purse and came up with a box of rubber bands. One wasn’t quite strong enough.” | The situation contradicts expectations. Here, Walter dreams of heroic feats while his wife struggles with mundane tasks. |
| Litotes | “He wasn’t feeling too happy.” | Understatement used for emphasis. |
| Malapropism | (This is debatable, some argue it’s intentional misuse of similar-sounding words for humor) “Webley-Vickers 50.80” (referring to a gun) | Incorrect use of a word, often for comedic effect. |
| Mock Jargon | “Tertiary phase of obstreosis of the ductal tract” (referring to a medical condition) | Exaggerated or nonsensical technical language for humor. |
| Onomatopoeia | “The telephone rang with a shrill insistence.” | Words that imitate the sound they describe (shrill). |
| Oxymoron | “The timid hero” | Two contradictory terms used together for effect. |
| Personification | “The old car chugged valiantly up the hill.” | Giving human qualities to non-human things. |
| Repetition | ” ‘Isn’t it about time?’ he said. ‘Isn’t it about time?’ “ | Repeating words or phrases for emphasis. |
| Rhetorical Question | “Was it madness? For an old man to walk into the middle of a machine gun nest?” | A question not meant to be answered but to make a point. |
| Simile | “His heart hammered in his chest like a drum.” | Compares two things using “like” or “as” to show similarity. |
| Symbolism | The recurring car in Walter’s daydreams | An object that represents something more than its literal meaning (freedom, escape). |
| Understatement (see Litotes) | ||
| Foreshadowing | “Mrs. Mitty said, ‘Something’s going to happen.'” (This foreshadows Walter’s moment of bravery when confronting the “rogue” driver) | Hinting at future events in the story. |
Characterization in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
Major Characters:
- Walter Mitty:
- The protagonist. He is portrayed as:
- Indirect Characterization: Through his actions and daydreams, we see a meek, forgetful man lacking confidence.
- Direct Characterization: The narrator occasionally describes him as “middle-aged” and “not a young man any longer.”
- Daydreams: These reveal his desire for excitement and heroism, showcasing a stark contrast to his real life.
- Mrs. Mitty: Walter’s wife. She is:
- Direct Characterization: Described as having a “determined chin” and “capable hands,” suggesting a forceful personality.
- Actions: She constantly nags and reminds Walter of errands and tasks, portraying a controlling and domineering nature.
Minor Characters:
- The Parking Lot Attendant: Briefly interacts with Walter, highlighting his forgetfulness and lack of assertiveness.
- The Technician: Appears in Walter’s daydream as “Lieutenant Berg.” Initially questions Walter’s (as the dream commander) authority, representing a challenge to his newfound confidence (in the dream).
- Dr. Renshaw: The Mittys’ family doctor. In Walter’s fantasy, Dr. Renshaw is a desperate surgeon needing Walter’s (as the dream doctor) expertise. This highlights Walter’s desire for importance and recognition.
- The Rogue Driver: A reckless driver on the road. This character serves as a catalyst for Walter to step outside his comfort zone and show a rare moment of real-life courage.
Characterization Techniques:
- Contrast: The main contrast lies between Walter’s timid reality and his heroic daydreams. Mrs. Mitty’s forceful personality further emphasizes Walter’s lack of assertiveness.
- Internal Monologue: Though not extensively used, Walter’s thoughts occasionally reveal his frustration and yearning for adventure.
Major Themes in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
1. Escapism and the Power of Fantasy:
- Walter’s constant daydreams provide an escape from his monotonous life. He fantasizes about being a courageous hero in various scenarios.
- Example: “Walter Mitty was deeply involved in an aerial duel between himself and a pirate junkyard.”
2. The Contrast Between Reality and Imagination:
- The story creates a humorous contrast between Walter’s mundane reality and his exciting fantasies.
- Example: Walter dreams of being a fearless seaplane pilot, yet struggles to navigate a parking lot in real life.
3. The Yearning for Adventure and Significance:
- Walter’s daydreams reveal a desire for excitement, adventure, and a sense of importance that’s missing in his daily routine.
- Example: He imagines himself as a doctor performing a critical surgery or a leader in a dangerous situation.
4. The Importance of Facing Reality and Stepping Outside One’s Comfort Zone:
- Despite his escapism, Walter shows a glimmer of courage when confronting the reckless driver. This suggests a potential for growth and facing reality.
- Example: He steps out of his car to confront the driver, a rare moment of assertiveness outside his fantasies.
Writing Style in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
James Thurber’s writing style in “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is characterized by its use of humor, irony, and satire. Thurber employs short and simple sentences, often with a repetitive structure, to emphasize Walter Mitty’s mundane life and his desire for adventure. He also uses vivid and detailed descriptions to bring Walter’s daydreams to life, with a playful and imaginative tone. The story is told in a third-person limited point of view, allowing readers to enter Walter’s mind and experience his fantasies. Overall, Thurber’s writing style is light-hearted and witty, with a keen eye for the absurdities of everyday life.
Literary Theories and Interpretation of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
- Psychoanalytic Theory: One interpretation of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is that it reflects Walter Mitty’s subconscious desires and conflicts. According to this theory, Walter’s daydreams are a manifestation of his repressed desires for power, control, and adventure. His dissatisfaction with his mundane life and his nagging wife may also be interpreted as a reflection of his inner conflicts and anxieties.
- Feminist Theory: Another interpretation of the story is that it critiques traditional gender roles and the patriarchal society. Walter’s wife is portrayed as domineering and critical, constantly belittling him and undermining his masculinity. This reflects the societal pressures on men to conform to traditional notions of masculinity, which are seen as incompatible with vulnerability and emotional expression. Additionally, the women in Walter’s daydreams are mostly objectified and stereotyped, highlighting the limited roles that women are often given in male-dominated narratives.
- Marxist Theory: A Marxist interpretation of the story may view Walter’s daydreams as a form of resistance against capitalist oppression. Walter is a low-level employee who is powerless in his job and in his personal life. His daydreams may be seen as a way to escape his reality and imagine himself as a hero, which represents a form of class-consciousness and resistance against the capitalist system that oppresses him.
- New Criticism: A New Criticism interpretation of the story may focus on its literary techniques and devices. The story’s use of repetition, vivid imagery, and irony are all important aspects of its literary style. The story’s themes of escapism, masculinity, and power may also be analyzed in the context of the literary techniques used to convey them.
- Reader-Response Theory: A reader-response interpretation of the story may focus on how readers respond to Walter’s character and his daydreams. Some readers may sympathize with Walter and his desire for adventure, while others may find his fantasies childish and unrealistic. This theory emphasizes the role of the reader in constructing meaning from the text.
Questions and Their Thesis Statements about “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
- What is the role of Walter Mitty’s daydreams in the story, and what do they reveal about his character and desires?
- Thesis Statement: Through his daydreams, Walter Mitty is able to escape the mundanity of his everyday life and imagine himself as a heroic figure, revealing his deep desires for adventure, power, and control.
- How does the story critique traditional notions of masculinity, and what alternative forms of masculinity are presented?
- Thesis Statement: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” critiques traditional masculinity by portraying Walter as a passive and submissive figure, and presenting alternative forms of masculinity through his daydreams, which emphasize power, control, and emotional expression.
- In what ways does the story use humor and satire to critique societal expectations and norms? Thesis Statement: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” uses humor and satire to critique societal expectations and norms, particularly those surrounding masculinity, heroism, and the media’s portrayal of heroic figures.
- How does Walter Mitty’s relationship with his wife reflect societal expectations of gender roles, and what is the significance of this in the story?
- Thesis Statement: The dynamic between Walter Mitty and his wife reflects traditional gender roles and the societal pressures on men to conform to traditional notions of masculinity, and highlights the ways in which these expectations can be damaging to both men and women.
- How does the story use repetition and imagery to convey its themes of escapism and dissatisfaction with reality?
- Thesis Statement: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” uses repetition and vivid imagery to emphasize Walter’s dissatisfaction with his ordinary life and his desire for adventure and escape, highlighting the ways in which his daydreams serve as a coping mechanism.
Short Questions and Answers about “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
- What is the significance of the title “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”?
- The title of the story highlights the contrast between Walter Mitty’s real life and his imagined life. Walter’s daydreams are his secret life, in which he imagines himself as a heroic figure, living exciting adventures and accomplishing daring feats. This title also emphasizes the theme of escapism in the story, as Walter’s daydreams allow him to escape the mundanity of his everyday life and imagine a more exciting and fulfilling existence.
- What is the role of Walter’s wife in the story?
- Walter’s wife plays a significant role in the story as a foil to Walter’s daydreams. She is portrayed as critical, nagging, and overbearing, constantly belittling Walter and reminding him of his shortcomings. Her presence highlights the contrast between Walter’s imagined life and his real life, and emphasizes the societal pressures on men to conform to traditional gender roles and notions of masculinity.
- What is the significance of the story’s ending?
- The story’s ending is significant in that it reinforces the theme of escapism, as Walter’s final daydream involves him imagining himself bravely facing a firing squad. This ending can be interpreted as a way of highlighting the importance of finding a balance between reality and fantasy, and of embracing one’s true identity rather than living in a perpetual state of escapism.
- What is the significance of Walter’s daydreams involving heroic figures such as a pilot, a surgeon, and a soldier?
- Walter’s daydreams involving heroic figures can be seen as a reflection of his desires for power, control, and adventure. These daydreams allow him to escape his mundane life and imagine himself as a hero, capable of great feats and respected by others. Additionally, these daydreams may reflect the societal values of the time period in which the story was written, which placed a great emphasis on heroism and bravery in the face of danger.
Literary Works Similar to “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
Similar Themes:
- Escapism and the Power of Fantasy:
- “Bartleby, the Scrivener” by Herman Melville: A Wall Street clerk named Bartleby escapes his monotonous job by simply refusing to perform tasks.
- “The Lady or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton: A story with an ambiguous ending that leaves the reader pondering the nature of reality and fantasy.
- The Contrast Between Reality and Imagination:
- Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes: A delusional nobleman mistakes windmills for giants and embarks on fantastical adventures.
- The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka: A man wakes up one morning transformed into a giant insect, highlighting the absurdity of everyday life.
Similar Elements:
- Humor and Satire:
- Reginald Perrin by David Nobbs: A middle-aged man fakes a nervous breakdown to escape his corporate job, similar to Walter’s daydreams as a form of escape.
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller: A dark satire on war that uses humor to explore themes of bureaucracy and the absurdity of war.
- Dreamlike Narrative:
- We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson: A darkly humorous story with unreliable narration and dreamlike elements.
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: A magical realist novel that blends fantasy and reality in a multigenerational family saga.
Suggested Readings: “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
Books:
- Rose, Michael. The Genius of James Thurber. Folio Society, 1997. This biography delves into Thurber’s life and influences, potentially offering insights into the creation of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”
- Maier, Thomas. James Thurber. Twayne Publishers, 1967. This literary criticism text analyzes Thurber’s works, potentially including a chapter dedicated to “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”
Articles:
- Asselineau, Roger. “The Daydreams of Walter Mitty and the Grotesque.” The James Thurber Papers (Ohio State University Libraries), no. 13 (1989): 1-12. This scholarly article explores the use of the grotesque in the protagonist’s daydreams, offering a deeper analysis of the story’s elements.
- Meyers, Jeffrey. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and the Search for Heroic Identity.” Studies in American Humor 1.1 (1977): 79-92. This article delves into the theme of masculinity and the search for heroism in the story, providing a critical perspective on Walter Mitty’s character.
Websites:
- The James Thurber Society: https://jamesthurber.org/the-thurber-house This website dedicated to Thurber’s life and works may contain essays or articles specifically analyzing “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”
- Short Story Collections: While the specific URL cannot be guaranteed due to potential content changes, reputable online resources like Bartleby.com (https://ebooks.inflibnet.ac.in/engp05/chapter/short-stories-of-james-thurber/) often offer free access to classic short stories, including “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.”
