The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Mitty’s daydreams feature very few women, and (unlike the men) none of them are named. Why is this, and does it relate to Thurber’s overall treatment of gender? Why are we never told Mrs. Mitty’s first name?

In his third fantasy, Mitty stands accused of a murder committed on June 14—Bastille Day. Why do you think Thurber chose this date? Who is the young woman who leaps into Mitty’s arms? Solve this murder mystery in a way you think Mitty might have chosen, and explain your rationale. Incorporate the original story’s themes.

Facing a firing squad in his final daydream, Mitty imagines himself to be “inscrutable to the last.” What does “inscrutable” mean in this context—why would Mitty want to imagine himself as unknowable to others?

Mitty’s daydreams grow darker and more violent as the day passes. In his third fantasy, he is accused of murder, and in the final two, he seems resigned to his own death. What does this say about his fantasy life? Is his daydreaming a therapeutic method of feeling better about himself, or is it a compulsion that ultimately undermines his happiness?

In the second-to-last paragraph, Mitty finally talks back to his wife, criticizing her for scolding him about his absentmindedness. Is this a breakthrough for him, a sign that he may be more assertive in the future? How do you envision Mitty’s future life? Explain your rationale, citing at least two textual details.

The story offers almost nothing about Mrs. Mitty. Write a brief scene from her point of view, including her view of Walter and of his episodes of carelessness and abstractedness. What does she want out of life? In what ways has Walter disappointed her? Your writing should incorporate the literary devices of irony and parody.

Thurber is famous for satirizing “the battle of the sexes.” Choose another of his short stories, such as “The Catbird Seat,” and compare it to “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” in terms of how it portrays gender roles. Note any common themes between the stories.

Mitty’s fantasies diverge comically from his daily reality, but are there ever ways in which they resemble his actual life? Or are fantasy and reality unequivocally different? Use specific examples from the story to support your answer.