NAME
CLASS
DATE
Words to Own
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
James Thurber
Pupil’s Edition page 624
Complete the following crossword puzzle using the Words to Own listed below. One word has
been completed as an example.
insolent
rakishly
bedlam
haggard
cannonading
pandemonium
insinuatingly
craven
Across
2. wild disorder __________________________
6. tearing apart ___________________________
7. place of confusion ___________________________
9. jauntily ________________________________________
rending
distraught
Down
1. suggestively ____________________________
3. boldly disrespectful ____________________
4. troubled _______________________________
5. artillery fire ____________________________
8. cowardly ________________________________
10. worn in appearance _____________________
1.
2.
P
A
N
D
E
M
O
N
I
U
M
3.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
5.
4.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Elements of Literature
10.
Words to Own
37
NAME
CLASS
DATE
Graphic Organizer for Active Reading
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
James Thurber
Pupil’s Edition page 624
Daydream Believer
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
In the balloons below, write the five roles that Walter Mitty plays in his fantasies. In the weights
below each balloon, describe the situation that occurs immediately after each fantasy—the event
that pulls Walter back to earth.
1. What kind of characters are the people in Walter Mitty’s fantasies? For example, how do they
handle pressure? How do others regard them? Give a brief description on the lines provided.
2. What is Walter Mitty’s real character like, in contrast to the characters in his fantasies?
Elements of Literature
Graphic Organizers for Active Reading
61
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
Literary Elements Worksheet
Plot: The plot of this short story consists of Walter Mitty going between his real life and his
“secret life” of daydreams. Things that happen in real life influence his daydreams. On
the chart below, fill in the real-life influences on his secret life and the daydreams they
inspire.
Real Life
Driving his car
Secret Life (daydreams)
Navy hydroplane captain
Putting on gloves
Witness at a murder trial
Setting: The story contains clues as to the time and place that it occurs. Below, list the time and
the place, and then include quotations (exact words from the story) that give clues about
the time and place.
Quotation
Time:
Place:
Characters: There are two main characters in the story, Walter Mitty and his wife. Below,
choose one word that describes each character, and then supply a quotation that supports
your description. This quotation may be something the character said or something that
is said about the character.
Character
Description
Quotation
Walter Mitty
Mrs. Mitty
Theme: The theme is the main idea or message of the story. Answer the following questions,
and supply a theme in the appropriate space.
1. Why do you think Walter Mitty daydreams all the time?
2. How does Walter’s real-life personality differ from his personality in his daydreams?
3. What effect do Walter’s daydreams have on his real life?
Based on at least one of your answers above, state the theme of the story in one complete
sentence.
Name _______________________________________________________ Date ___________________
Literary Terms- Apply the following terms to “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”
Onomatopoeia example __________________________________________________________
Allusion ______________________________________________________________________
Malapropism __________________________________________________________________
Symbols ______________________________________________________________________
Short Answer- Answer the following essays in 5-7 sentences
Is there a climax in this story? If so, what is it? If not, why do you think there isn’t a climax in
this story?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Look at how the story ended. What do you think happens next? What is the significance of
Walter Mitty facing the firing squad in his daydream?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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