The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty Imagination Essay

1002 Words5 Pages
Imagination and reality have a relationship like oil and water. It can never be together or work as pair. In James Thurber’s, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, the main character Walter struggles to find the balance between imagination and reality. He uses imagination as a way to escape his own problems that he deals in his life. The reason for this is that he does not seem to have the courage to take charge of his life. In the end, he realises that he will not allow people to change him because of what they want. Imagination and reality becomes a focal point as imagination is use by Walter Mitty as a coping-mechanism, being a different person from reality, and how he will not allow reality to change him. Sometimes, imagination…show more content…
He wants to be a better person with courage and confidence. In addition, he is more reckless and enthusiastic. For example, the story states, “A bit of a near thing, said Captain Mitty carelessly. The box barrage is closing in, said the sergeant. We only live once, sergeant, said Mitty, with his faint fleeting smile” (Thurber). In making this dialogue, Willy recognizes he is a different man who sees himself as brave and proud. In his imagination, it celebrates the man who Walter Mitty has become. He is a sergeant who his underlings look up to. For example, the story states, “Erect and motionless, proud and disdainful” (Thurber). This quote shows a different man whose description is different from his present day. The words proud and disdainful suggest that it is a different world for Walter Mitty when he goes to his alternate reality. Furthermore, his alternate reality gives him the sense of importance; since in this paragraph shows him wanting to sacrifice his life for the greater good. In contrast, in reality he is very different from the qualities that are shown since no one around him thinks of him like that. It is the main reason why he goes to his alternate reality since it makes him to be a better person with importance and

More about The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty Imagination Essay

Open Document