“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”.pptVIP

“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” James Thurber Notes The Secret Life of Walter Mitty was written in 1939, shortly after the beginning of World War II. In this story, the author pokes fun at escapism. This short story is a satire. Notes Continued A HERO is a characters who behaves bravely and does great deeds. Heroes are typically strong, resourceful, and self-sacrificing. An ANTIHERO is a central character who lacks all the qualities traditionally associated with heroes. Antiheroes are often timid, cowardly, and weak, but the reader sympathizes with the struggles that they face. A STEREOTYPE is an uncritically accepted or conventional idea, particularly such an idea held about whole groups of people. James Thurber (1894-1961) Hometown: Columbus, Ohio Ohio State University Staff writer and editor for The New Yorker magazine First published many of his works in The New Yorker: essays, cartoons, fables, stories Friends with E.B. White James Thurber Major accident in his childhood Left him blind in one eye Limited vision in other eye Sensitivity from this reflected in his writing. James Thurber Common themes: Frustrations of modern life Disappointments of modern life Comedy in people’s attempts to cope with life Underdogs “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” Walter Mitty- one of Thurber’s most famous “underdogs” Written in 1939 (just after start of WWII) War in Europe already influencing America “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” 1930s:beginning of modern “mass culture” Newspapers Radio Cinemas “Brand names”- for example, Kleenex “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” Cinemas: insight into the world Cinemas showed weekly news stories People were enthralled with following the exciting lives of famous people (took them out of their boring daily schedules) Millionaires Famous doctors Military heroes Escapism ESCAPISM is the tendency to retreat from unpleasant truths in everyday life into a world of daydreams and fantasy. -Movies -Video games -TV -Books Satire S