The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty By James Thurber

James Thurber • 1894-1961 • Lived through 2 World Wars • Reflected in writing American pride in soldiers

Look at page 227

James Thurber • Author of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty • Humorist (writer and cartoonist) • Gift for being funny and serious at the same time • Writings/drawings about men and women who cope with one another and with modern life and puzzled, compassionate dogs who observe human life

James Thurber • From Columbus, Ohio • Worked for The New Yorker magazine • Walter Mitty inspiration for Snoopy

Ellipses… • It looks like this … • Three periods • Uses: to show you’ve omitted words (for example if you are quoting someone and you want to shorten the quote) and to show hesitation/faltering speech or thoughts • Can use an ellipses to shorten the beginning, middle, or end of a quote (if at end put period) • When using ellipses to shorten quotes, don’t change true meaning of quote

Ellipses • Example from “The Lady or the Tiger” Original Quote “ But how much oftener had she seen him at the other door! How in her grievious reveries had she knashed her teeth and torn her hair when she saw his start of rapturous delight as he opened the door on the lady” (36).

Ellipses • “…How in her grievous reveries had she gnashed her teeth and torn her hair when she saw his start of rapturous delight as he opened the door on the lady” (36). • But how much oftener had she seen him at the other door! How in her grievous reveries had she gnashed her teeth and torn her hair…as he opened the door on the lady” (36). • But how much oftener had she seen him at the other door! How in her grievous reveries had she gnashed her teeth and torn her hair when she saw his start of rapturous delight as he opened the door on the lady…” (36).

Jargon • Special Language of a group of people, especially people in the same job • People who use jargon: engineers, educators, lawyers, carpenters, etc. • Often language is necessary to communicate complex/technical ideas • Used to impress outsiders • The Secret Life of Walter Mitty pokes fun at the jargon in various groups (Mitty misuses it)

Jargon • Let’s brainstorm Jargon in Methacton • ISS • PSSA • MHS

Irony • A contradiction between what is expected to happen or what is meant

Dramatic Irony • The contrast depends upon the contradicton between what the character believes and what the reader knows to be true • EX: Mitty has a fantasy about flying ace, but the readers know from Mitty’s inept behavior in the parking lot that he has trouble just parking his car

Situational Irony • A contrast between what is expected from what actually occurs

Verbal Irony • When something is said that contrast what is meant

Direct Characterization • A method the author uses to develop the character • The writer directly tells the traits • Direct statements giving the writer’s opinion of the character • Physical descriptions of the character

Indirect Characterization • A method the author uses to develop the character without directly stated the qualities • Shows/not tells • Characters’ actions • Characters comments and reactions of other characters • Through the characters’ thoughts • Through the characters’ words

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty