The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Analysis

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In James Thurber’s The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Walter is both imaginative and carefree. These qualities are displayed all throughout the story. In, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, James Thurber brings the reader into Walter’s mind. Throughout the story the reader learns more about Walter Mitty by watching his daydreams unfold. Walter is very imaginative. He seems to be completely detached while imagining all sorts of scenarios. These stories are so detailed and well thought out that when someones calls him back to reality, Walter seems to be emerging from a deep dark sleep. For instance, Walter’s wife yells at him to pay attention and he replies with an astonished, “hmm?”. Walter seems to be unsatisfied with his seemingly boring life where the most exciting task of his day is getting overshoes. This overwhelming boredom is why one would assume he is so imaginative. Walter retreats into his mind for entertainment instead of facing his unsatisfactory life. Walter Mitty is almost afraid to do exciting things and would rather be alone in his fantasy than in the real world, as he seems to be startled when “sucked” back into reality. In addition, his wife is not in any of his fantasies. Is he unhappy with his marriage? One could make the leap he is having marital issues. Just as Walter is imaginative, he is also carefree. In fact Walter does not seem to care about anything. Walter Mitty is more focused on his daydreams than reality, and when ! confronted with problems shakes them off as if annoyed. Walter, while imagining he is a Navy commander, does not even care about speed. Another example of this carefree attitude is when Walter’s wife tries to convince him to buy overshoes. Walter just tells his wife that he does not want them even though he needs them. Walter’s carefree attitude does not come without consequences. Because of this carefree attitude,
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