Comparing Print And Film Versions Of The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty

Is there any way daydreaming can help with story development? In both the print and film versions of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, the main character does exactly this to further the plot. In the realistic fiction film version of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, directed by Ben Stiller, it portrays a large variety of literary details such as archetypes, conflict, and character development that help to further progress the plot and understanding. However, in the short fiction print version, written by James Thurber, these details are not as strong, resulting in underdevelopment of the story. The film version of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty tells a better story compared to the print version because of the way it specific literary concepts.

The print version has one conflict in which there is a medical emergency: “obstreosis of the ductal tract” (Thurber 3). Considering the fact that this disease is not a real thing, it manifests the idea that all of Walter’s conflicts in the print version are within his daydreams. On the contrary, the director and actor Ben Stiller presents real life conflicts that Walter experiences: his boss and life being too boring. Since the problems in the movie are actually affecting Walter in reality, it implies that the problems demonstrated in the film are more important than ones in the print. The entire film dealt with the problems of Walter pursuing a lover, and eventually expanded into him trying to find the cover photo and keep his job towards the end (Stiller). In the same way, the print version states conflicts within each of Walter’s daydreams such as a medical emergency, a conviction of murder, and a plane being stuck in a storm (Thurber). It is clearly understood that both the movie and the short story have multiple conflicts to help with the development of Walter. Although both versions have multiple conflicts, the film version tells a better story because the conflicts affect him directly in reality which allows for a greater opportunity for his character

To enumerate, Walter snaps back at his wife: “I was thinking. Does it ever occur to you that I am sometimes thinking?” (Thurber 6). Throughout the film, one can see that Walter’s real-life experiences cause him to daydream such as when he envisions Cheryl singing “Major Tom” (Stiller). In both versions, Walter goes through changes, both in reality and daydreams, which permit him to develop as a character. To note, the print version showcases Walter saving the day as a hero: “Somebody’s got to get to the ammunition dump” (Thurber 6). This conflict, along with Walter’s solution, explains how in his daydreams he becomes more confident and brave. This allows the reader to understand how he developed as a character through his solutions to problems. The film version reveals that Walter goes through a variety of adventures, such as jumping into a helicopter and hiking in the mountains (Stiller). These activities further exemplify Walter’s character development throughout the story. By having these activities happen in reality opposed to in daydreams, it provides more character development as well. Through his actions, the director makes the character development in the film more detailed and obvious, making the film the superior version of the