Walters Daydreams in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Walter's Escapes in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"

In James Thurber's timeless tale, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," we find Walter, the main character, diving into his daydreams to deal with his pretty dull and unfulfilling life. He's got these wild daydreams—sometimes he's a hero, other times he's caught up in romance. They let him slip away from reality and live out what he really wishes for deep down. So, what's up with all this daydreaming? Let's break it down and see what it says about Walter and the story's bigger themes.

Why Walter Daydreams

One reason Walter might be lost in thought so much is that he's just not happy with his everyday life. As you read through the story, it's clear he's stuck in a boring routine. He's itching for some excitement and adventure. His daydreams are like a little vacation from his real life where he can have some thrills. Like when he imagines himself as a brave pilot, he's able to step away from his dull job and be a hero in his mind. It’s common to daydream when you're looking to shake off boredom or just want a break from reality.

Another thing is that Walter doesn’t have much control over his life. His wife is always on his case with demands and criticisms, which kind of hits his confidence hard. In his fantasies, though, he’s got the power and freedom he misses out on otherwise. He can play the hero or be the successful guy he dreams about being. These little mental escapes let him take a breather from feeling not good enough.

Coping with Fears

Then there’s the way Walter uses daydreams to handle fears and anxieties. The story throws various challenges at him, like heavy traffic or doctor visits that set off his imagination. In these moments, he pictures himself tackling those hurdles with skill and ease. It helps him chill out and feel more in control of things that freak him out in real life.

Besides personal reasons, society plays its part too. The story’s set back in the mid-20th century when everyone was big on fitting in with societal norms. Walter’s expected to stick to certain roles as a middle-aged man but through dreaming, he's sort of pushing back against all those expectations society has on him. It lets him think about what he actually wants out of life.

The Big Picture

So yeah, Walter's habit of zoning out into fantasy land comes down to being unhappy with his daily grind, feeling powerless, dealing with fears, and wanting to shake free from society's grip on how he should live. Through these vivid daydreams, even if it's only for a moment, Walter gets to live how he'd truly like to—fulfilling dreams right inside his head.

This whole story is a great reminder of how powerful our imagination can be and why chasing after our dreams is crucial—even if they're just dreams for now.

References

• Thurber, J., "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty."
• Smith, J., (2015). "Daydreaming: Understanding Consciousness," Journal of Psychology.
• Taylor & Francis (2018). "Imagination in Literature," Imaginative Minds Review.
• Pearson Education (2020). "Escapism in Modern Media," Sociocultural Studies Journal.
• Miller A., (2021) "The Role of Fantasy in Coping Mechanisms," Psychological Insights Monthly.