abstract illustration of a man's face and several accoutrements: scissors, gloves, glasses, tweezers, facemask, and a cigarette

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

by James Thurber

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Topics for Further Study

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Reflect on the stereotypes of masculinity prevalent in today's society. How are these stereotypes represented in Walter Mitty's daydreams? How do these stereotypes contrast with his behavior in real life?

Do you find Thurber's depiction of Mrs. Mitty to be sexist? What kind of portrayal of marriage does the story provide, and how does this portrayal compare to what is considered a "typical" marriage in contemporary American society?

Identify the elements that link Walter's fantasies to his reality. Examine the importance of these elements to the story's central theme.

Research American society at the end of the Great Depression and the onset of World War II. Does Thurber accurately depict middle-class life during that era in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"? Why or why not?

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