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The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty

909 Words4 Pages

Kaden Hankey
Gretchen Contreal
English 11 CP
3/31/23
Reality and the Perspective of Dreaming
James Thurber's short story, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," explores the theme of reality vs dreams and isolation through the character of Walter Mitty. Mitty's daydreams serve as a way for him to escape the monotony of his everyday life and create a more exciting reality. However, this creates a divide between his actual life and the one he imagines, leaving him isolated from the world around him.
In his daydreams, Mitty is a hero, a commander, a doctor, and a daring pilot. These fantasies are a stark contrast to his reality, where he is constantly belittled and controlled by his wife. Through his imagination, Mitty creates a reality that is vastly …show more content…

Instead of facing his problems head-on, he retreats into his own mind, creating a false reality that is more desirable. This creates a sense of disconnection from the world around him, further highlighting his isolation. "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" also touches on the idea of gender roles and societal expectations. Mitty's daydreams serve as a way for him to break free from the strict gender roles and expectations of his time. In his dreams, he becomes a commander, a doctor, and a pilot, all traditionally male-dominated professions. Through his imagination, he can escape the confines of the societal norms that dictate his everyday life.
Furthermore, Mitty's wife serves as a symbol of the societal expectations placed on women during this time. She is domineering and constantly criticizes Mitty, reinforcing the idea that men are supposed to be strong and assertive while women are supposed to be passive and subservient. This dynamic creates tension in their relationship and further highlights the strict gender roles of the …show more content…

Mitty's daydreams serve as a way for him to escape the mundane reality of his everyday life. As he navigates the demands of his wife and the outside world, Mitty retreats into his imagination where he can be the hero of his own story. This escapism is a common coping mechanism for individuals who feel trapped or overwhelmed by their surroundings. However, it can also serve to isolate individuals further from the world around them and prevent them from addressing the underlying issues causing their distress. Mitty's daydreams ultimately serve as a temporary escape from reality, but they do not provide a long-term solution to the problems he faces. This highlights the importance of facing one's problems head-on and finding healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and anxiety.
The website "Psychology Today" provides insight into the effects of societal expectations and gender roles on individuals. According to the website, societal expectations can lead to feelings of pressure, anxiety, and depression (Psychology Today). Mitty's daydreams can be seen as a way for him to cope with the pressure and expectations placed on him by society. However, this only serves to isolate him further from the world around him and perpetuate the cycle of unrealistic

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