1、The Secret Life of Walter MittyJames Thurber Born Dec.8,1894 in Ohio.Lost the sight in one of his eyes in childhood.Attended Ohio State University,but did not finish it due to his poor eyesight.Died November 2,1961.Remained journalist,writer,humorist for most of his life.Three dozen books of short f
2、iction and fables published during his life and after his death.“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”is one of his best known stories.It first appeared in The New Yorker,March 1939.Mitty drives his wife to town.But he keeps having daydreams one after another.His first daydream has him as a commander of
3、a navy plane,flying through a storm.His second daydream is about being a famous doctor,treating a millionaire patient.His third daydream finds him in a courtroom,challenging the court.In the fourth daydream Mitty is in a dugout,ready to fly alone on an impossible mission.In the last daydream Mitty p
4、roudly faces a firing squad.Setting:Time:a day not different from all the others.Place:in the town.Mittys daydreams occur while he drives and waits for his wife on his usual trips to town.The everyday setting contrasts sharply with his exciting adventures in daydreams.Setting:the most ordinary sight
5、s in a town.“Walter Mitty stopped the car in front of the building where his wife went to have her hair done.”“He drove around the streets aimlessly for a time”“He found a big leather chair in the lobby,facing a window.”Everyday sights contrast with the unusual daydream circumstances.“We cant make i
6、t,sir.Its spoiling for a hurricane.”“In the operating room there were whispered introductions”“Pandemonium broke loose in the courtroom.”Everyday sights contrast with the unusual daydream circumstances.“Von Richtmans circus is between here and Saulier.”“Walter Mitty walked to the door of the dugout”
7、“he faced the firing squad;erect and motionless”Mittys character:With his wife,he listens and is often silent.“Not so fast!Youre driving too fast!”said Mrs.Mitty.“Youre not a young man any longer.”Mitty does not get to voice his opinions.Mittys character:With other people,he thinks to himself and ag
8、ain is silenced.“The attendant vaulted into the car,backed it up withinsolent skill”“Theyre so damn cocky,thought Walter Mitty.”“A woman who was passing laughed Walter Mitty hurried on.”Mitty does not do any better with strangers than with his wife.Mitty is:shy and timid often forgetful sometimes ir
9、ritated but not able to voice his objection.Keys to the QuestionsHow many episodes have Water Mitty daydreamed about?What are they?Five episodes together.First dream:commanding a navy plane through a storm.Second dream:treating a millionaire patient among the admiration of other doctors.Third dream:
10、challenging the District Attorney in a courtroom.Fourth dream:ready to fly alone through enemy lines on a mission.Fifth dream:facing the firing squad.Examine each of Walter Mittys daydreams.How does the circumstance that triggers the daydream differ from the circumstance within Mittys fantasy?2.Each
11、 of the daydreams presents a thrilling moment in Mittys imagination.The dreams involve war,bombardment,heavy storm,courtroom scenes,violent confrontations.Mittys reality is a very ordinary one.But one he has no control over.His daydream occurs when he finds something unpleasant in reality.What do th
12、e fantasies of Mitty tell about Mitty Mitty leads a life under his wifes control.Mitty seems to lack skills good enough to manage some daily needs.Mitty gets great enjoyment from daydreaming.Daydreams make up for his sense of inadequacy,powerlessness and frustration in everyday life.race the real-li
13、fe episodes of Mitty.What messages do they carry about Mittys life?Mitty drives his wife to town.Mitty drives around town and finds a parking place.Mitty goes to buy what his wife has asked him.Mitty waits for his wife in a hotel lobby,then outside a drugstore.The episodes reveal Mitty doing the dut
14、y of a husband,and that he has no control over what is to be done.What is the setting for the whole story?How is this setting related to Mittys“secret”life?The setting of the story is in an ordinary,modern day town center.The days routine places Mitty under the eyes of his wife,the police and the parking attendant,exposing him to the criticism of others.The exposure and lack of control is keenly felt by Mitty.His secret,empowering daydreams work as a balance to the exposure in public which minimizes his power.The End
