1. The Secret Life of
Walter Mitty

2. Author Author James Thurber lived from 1894-1961
He was known as an author, cartoonist and humorist.
Primarily he was known for his contributions to the famous New Yorker magazine

3. General Information General Information
"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is a short story centering around daydreams
It was first published in March 18, 1939 

4. General Information General Information
The action takes place in the late 1930s in a car, but most of the story takes place in the mind of Walter Mitty
The story is known for its combination of high adventure mixed in with Thurber’s well known for humor and satire

5. Literary Focus Literary Focus Point of View
Thurber tells the story in omniscient, third-person point of view
The narrator reveals the thoughts of Walter Mitty as he goes from reality to fantasy

6. Literary Focus Literary Focus Imagery and Onomatopoeia
Thurber relies on repetition of sounds and images to describe Mitty’s fantasies
He also uses descriptive sounds like “pocketa-pocketa” and “queep” to imitate the sound being made in the dreams

7. Literary Focus Literary Focus Tone
Part of the story’s appeal is it abrupt transitions in tone
The tone is slow, almost like nails on a chalk board when Mitty is dealing with the mundane of everyday life
It drastically changes to being tense and suspenseful when the heroic Mitty starts to daydream.
For example, after Mitty slugs the district attorney in a courtroom dream, he remembers that he must buy puppy biscuits. 
Tortoise and the Hare—much like the differing tones featured in Mitty

8. Themes and Focus The Power of Imagination Themes and Focus Themes
Escapism
Mitty deals with his everyday frustrations by escaping into daydreams. 
Boosting the Ego
Mitty’s daydreams help him sustain his ego against the nitpicking of his wife.
Vicarious Adventure
Even an ordinary man can become an extraordinary hero—with the help of his imagination
Mundane Nature of Everyday Life
As one ages and starts to work and have a family it becomes more difficult to find adventure and excitement
The Power of
Imagination

9. Summary and Plot Overview
Mrs. Mitty bullies poor Walter, seemingly controlling his everyday life
However, Walter’s own weakness, carelessness and ineptitude play a big role in allowing his wife to nag and treat him poorly 
The reality is Walter is just as much at fault for his problems as anyone else in his life

10. Summary and Plot Overview
Through the omniscient narration readers are able to escape from his wife’s nagging into his world of dreams. He takes readers into 5 different adventures:
Daydream 1
Commander Mitty: Pilot of a navy hydroplane.

11. Summary and Plot Overview
Daydream 2
Dr. Mitty: One of the world's most eminent surgeons
Daydream 3
Mitty: Suspect in a murder case. He is an expert marksman who is on the stand answering the district attorney's questions.

12. Summary and Plot Overview
Daydream 4
Captain Mitty: Devil-may-care World War I pilot.
Daydream 5
Mitty: Defiant prisoner about to be executed.

13. Character Analysis Character Analysis Walter Mitty: Mrs. Mitty:
Meek Connecticut man who retreats into daydreams in which he becomes a hero.
Constantly being bullied by both his wife and who he encounters in real life
Mitty's domineering wife.
Seemingly takes advatage of her husband’s weakness, but also seems to be forced to be controlling because of Walter’s lack of a backbone