Oct 6, 2008

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty | Characters

In his daydreams, Mitty is a heroic, skillful, commanding character. While in the real world he is subject to defeat in the conflict with his wife and his society, in his imagination he can existentially create himself. He can take on the characteristics that he would like to embody (and which are the reverse of his actual nature), and he can be what he wants to be. This is a juvenile trait, but one that is defensive and necessary for his mental survival.

Mrs. Mitty represents the devouring force of domesticity; she brooks no heated passions or heroics that might endanger her comfortable...