The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
James Thurber [Am.] 1894-1961
OUTLINE
Walter
Mitty
Author
Summary
Theme
Contrast
Fantasy
1. About the Author
James Grover Thurber
Born December 8, 1894
Columbus, Ohio
Died November 2, 1961 (aged 66)
New York, New York
Occupation Humorist
Nationality American
Period 1929-1961
Genres short stories, cartoons, essays
Subjects humor, language
Notable works My Life and Hard Times,
My World - And Welcome to It
Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?
2. Walter Mitty
An ordinary, often ineffectual person
who indulges in fantastic daydreams of
personal triumphs.
做白日梦的人，有幻想症的人，整天幻想的人：
一个平庸的、经常是徒劳无益的人，常沉溺于美
妙的有关个人成就的白日梦中
3. Plot Summary
The short story deals with a vague and mildmannered man who drives into Waterbury,
Connecticut, with his wife for their regular
weekly shopping and his wife's visit to the
beauty parlor. During this time he has five
heroic daydream episodes.
Next-page Details
4. Five Daydreams
Inspiration
Episodes
Interruption
Driving
A commander
Yelling
Gloves
A surgeon
Parking
News
An crack shot
Buying
Liberty
A captain
Striking
Smoking
A war hero
End
5. Fantasy vs. Reality
In daydreams
a great commander
a first-rate doctor
a crack shot
a brave solider who
could fly a bomber alone
a war hero who was
sentenced to death
In reality
forgetful
incapable
submissive to his wife
disrespected and scorned
by others
absent-minded
good-for nothing
6. The Theme
Fantasy and reality: escapist and mundane
Success and failure: calmness and courage