Secret Life Of Walter Mitty Essay

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Adventure is an unusual and exciting experience or activity; the exploration of uncharted territory leads to new experiences; dreams are an escape, an adventure of the mind. The 1947 film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty best represents James Thurber’s intent to make the viewer take into consideration the idea of individualism; while exploring how imagination enhances everyday lives. The 1947 film is more parallel to Thurber’s short story due to its similar distinctive characters, types of dreams and visions, as well as how the character of Walter Mitty is accepted by his surrounding characters. Thurber’s intent to explore the idea of individualism; while proposing that one can escape everyday life through dreams and fantasies IS best portrayed through the 1947 film. In both the short story and the 1947 film the main character, Walter Mitty, is controlled by women. Throughout the short story, …show more content…

The short story and the 1947 film place Walter in an everyday atmosphere where he is surrounded by friends and family members. In both pieces, Walter is scolded for his tangents by those around him. In the short story Mitty’s wife proclaims, “It’s one of those days. I wish you’d let Dr. Renshaw look you over.” She makes this statement after Walter experiences his first of many daydreams in the short story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”. In the 1947 film Walter’s mother accuses him of being absent minded as a result of his daydreaming. She does this after he mistakenly brings home a rake in place of the cake his mother sent him to get. In the 2013 film, Mitty is ridiculed for “zoning out”; however, unlike the short story and 1947 film, in this film he is more commonly taunted at work by coworkers than by family members. The 1947 film can be compared to the original short story for sharing similar settings. Thurber 's intent to develop an everyday setting, making Mitty’s lifestyle seem less exciting, is best portrayed through the 1947 film and