Secret Life of Walter Mitty
People like to think of themselves with heroic traits and in control of their own life. Through out the course of the story it is evident that Mitty is not a hero nor does he have control of his life. His wife is yelling at him and telling him what and how to do things, so he uses the dreams characters to escape reality. In “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” James Thurber uses characterization, language, and irony to help readers identify with Mitty’s mundane life.
Thurber never tells the reader what Mitty looks like. Instead he uses keywords throughout the story to let the reader put together what they would imagine Mitty to be. From the start of the story I gathered that his wife called the shots. For example, when he drops her off to get her hair done, she tells him a list of things he needs to do. All of Mittys dream have him in a position where he is in control all the way from being the pilot of a plan to the commander of the army.
The language that Thurber uses changes with the story. For example, when Mitty is in a dream, Thurber uses more action words then when he does while Mitty is walking around through everyday life. “Throw on the power lights! Rev her up to 8500! We’re going through,” Thurber uses these words because they are more commanding where he could have chosen different words to give a more submissive tone. “Ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa,” is a sound Thurber uses to help readers better understand Mitty’s imaginary world. “The District Attorney suddenly thrust a heavy automatic at the quiet figure on the witness stand,” these words set the tone for the court trial. It gives the reader a visual image of what is actually going on.
Irony is defined as the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.The irony of the story is that Mitty’s life is repetitive, yet the daydreams are action pack and filled with adventures. In real life Mitty’s wife
Thurber never tells the reader what Mitty looks like. Instead he uses keywords throughout the story to let the reader put together what they would imagine Mitty to be. From the start of the story I gathered that his wife called the shots. For example, when he drops her off to get her hair done, she tells him a list of things he needs to do. All of Mittys dream have him in a position where he is in control all the way from being the pilot of a plan to the commander of the army.
The language that Thurber uses changes with the story. For example, when Mitty is in a dream, Thurber uses more action words then when he does while Mitty is walking around through everyday life. “Throw on the power lights! Rev her up to 8500! We’re going through,” Thurber uses these words because they are more commanding where he could have chosen different words to give a more submissive tone. “Ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa,” is a sound Thurber uses to help readers better understand Mitty’s imaginary world. “The District Attorney suddenly thrust a heavy automatic at the quiet figure on the witness stand,” these words set the tone for the court trial. It gives the reader a visual image of what is actually going on.
Irony is defined as the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.The irony of the story is that Mitty’s life is repetitive, yet the daydreams are action pack and filled with adventures. In real life Mitty’s wife