The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1939)
By James Thurber (USA)
DIRECTIONS: After reading James Thurber’s “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, choose any
THREE of the following to answer on your own paper. Each paragraph should have a
minimum of TWO pieces of evidence (quotation). Points will be deducted from your grade for
any quotation that does not have a PARENTHETICAL REFERENCE.
If you turn in this assignment after ____, you must write ALL FOUR paragraphs.
Example paragraph using Juan Rulfo’s “Tell Them Not to Kill Me!”:
Rulfo has Nava speak in his own voice, so that the reader can better
understand Nava’s point of view. For example, when describing the property
dispute between Nava and his “compadre” Guadalupe Terresos, Nava begins
to speak in first person, saying, “And [Don Lupe] killed one of my yearlings”
(2). The use of first person here creates some level of sympathy for the Nava
character, since the reader hears about the conflict from Nava’s point of view.
One feels the “injustice” of Don Lupe’s act, as the story is told (at this point)
by the “victim,” though, of course, one would be less inclined to see it this way
had Rulfo allowed Don Lupe a voice. Similarly, when Nava is describing how,
“I would take off to the mountains, hiding among the madrone thickets and
passing the days with nothing to eat but herbs” (3), he is a much more
sympathetic character than had he been described as what he is: a murderer
who is running from justice. By focusing on the hardships Nava faces, rather
than the reason that he faces them, the reader is more likely to view him as
the protagonist. One hears about the suffering and, on some level, forgets
about the cause. In both instances, Nava’s voice creates a bond with the
reader that will persist until the same events are told from the point of view of
the Colonel, allowing for the exposure of the unflattering actions that Nava
conveniently “forgets” to mention when he is telling the tale.
claim statement (topic
sentence-- what the
paragraph will prove)
the grounds has context;
the reader knows who said
it and when
the grounds provide
evidence the claim
statement is true; there is
a parenthetical reference
to page number
the warrant shows
how the claim
statement is true; it is
longer than either the
claim or grounds
the second grounds is
introduced with a
transition; it is the second
piece of evidence for why
the claim statement is true
after the second warrant,
the paragraph sums up the
argument as a whole
DIRECTIONS: You must answer Question 1.
1. How does the way in which Thurber portrays the central conflict in
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” enable him to express his theme?
DIRECTIONS: You may answer either Question 2 or 3.
Critics often comment on the sexist nature of James Thurber’s stories,
saying he belittles his female characters while glorifying male
characters. Choose one of the following essays to explore this
interpretation.
2. Consider stereotypes of masculinity in society today. How are these
stereotypes enacted in Walter Mitty's dreams? How do these
stereotypes differ from his everyday behavior?
3. Do you think Thurber's characterization of Mrs. Mitty is sexist? What
sort of picture of marriage emerges in the story?
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1939)
By James Thurber (USA)
DIRECTIONS: You must answer Question 4.
4. Escapism is mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation,
as an “escape” from the perceived unpleasant aspects of daily life.
(In simple terms: daydreaming.) Norwegian psychologist Frode Stenseng
argues that there are two forms of escapism with different affective
outcomes dependent on the motivational force that lays behind the
immersion in these activities. Escapism in the form of selfsuppression stems from motives to run away from unpleasant thoughts,
self perceptions, and emotions whereas escapism in the form of selfexpansion stems from a motivation to gain positive experiences
through activity and to discover new aspects of self. Based on this
information, explain whether Walter Mitty’s fantasies were a form of
self-suppression or self-expansion.