"Pocketa-pocketa" in Walter Mitty's dreams signifies the sound of various machines, such as engines or flame throwers, blending reality with fantasy. It is an example of onomatopoeia, mimicking sounds like the plane's cylinders or gunfire. This recurring sound highlights Mitty's heroism in his fantasies and indicates that these are imaginative escapes rather than delusions.

Walter Mitty's last dream with the "firing squad" signifies his secret death wish and overall unhappiness with his life. He feels trapped in a mundane existence, dominated by his nagging wife, and fantasizes about heroic, life-risking scenarios. This dream, coupled with his other fantasies of daring exploits, underscores his desire for escape and hints at his deep-seated dissatisfaction and depression.

Walter Mitty imagines facing a firing squad as a reflection of his desire to escape his mundane, hen-pecked life and assert himself as a noble hero. This fantasy contrasts his real-life passivity, especially in his relationship with his nagging wife. The daydream symbolizes Mitty's resolve to maintain his imaginative world, even under pressure, as his wife threatens to disrupt it by probing into his behavior. It ends with him defiantly embracing his imaginary heroism.

Walter Mitty's daydreams consistently feature him in heroic, leading roles typical of popular fiction and Hollywood films. These roles are age-appropriate, avoiding youthful athleticism or romantic entanglements, and often involve him as a senior officer or expert with nerves of steel. His fantasies align with his middle-aged status, reflecting the man he wishes to be, rather than his actual self. Such daydreams are common, as many people harbor secret, aspirational fantasies.

The author ends "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" with a fantasy sequence to maintain narrative cohesion, as the story begins and ends in fantasy, providing closure. This final sequence highlights Mitty's defiance, contrasting his mundane real life with his heroic fantasies. It suggests that Mitty's fantasies represent his true self, offering temporary escape and resolution. The tragic ending emphasizes his preference for a heroic death over facing his disappointing reality.

The theme of escapism in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is central to the story, illustrating the contrast between Mitty's mundane reality and his heroic daydreams. In real life, Mitty is ineffectual and mocked, unable to perform basic tasks. However, in his fantasies, he is competent, admired, and heroic. This stark contrast highlights his use of daydreams to escape a disappointing, emasculating reality, offering insight into his character and societal critiques.

In Walter Mitty's last dream, he envisions himself as "undefeated, inscrutable," standing before a firing squad. Despite facing death, he remains calm, confident, and defiant, embodying the heroism and strength he lacks in real life. This dream contrasts sharply with his mundane existence, where he is often belittled by his wife and others. In his dreams, however, Mitty is fearless and invincible, asserting control over his imagined world.

James Thurber uses fantasy and structure in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" to contrast Walter's mundane reality with his vibrant inner life. Thurber alternates between Mitty's daydreams and real-world experiences, highlighting his escapism. This structure underscores the disparity between Mitty's heroic fantasies and his actual, unremarkable existence, emphasizing themes of dissatisfaction and the power of imagination.

Walter Mitty's daydreams in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" are triggered by mundane events and his unfulfilling life, often spurred by his surroundings. For instance, passing a hospital leads him to imagine being a surgeon. His daydreams provide an escape from his monotonous reality, dominated by a demanding wife and a lack of personal satisfaction. These fantasies allow Mitty to experience power and excitement, contrasting sharply with his real-life impotence and dissatisfaction.

In James Thurber's "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," Walter Mitty's real life is mundane and dominated by his wife's controlling nature, while his daydreams portray him as a heroic and respected figure. These fantasies provide an escape from his unsatisfying reality, where he is often treated dismissively by others. Mitty's imagined adventures reflect his desire for significance and agency, contrasting sharply with his ineffectual real-world existence. His frequent daydreaming suggests both a retreat from and a coping mechanism for his unremarkable life.