Humans come, humans go. Though, what is the purpose for them to touch and effect the society that surrounds them? In the short story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber, from the result of day dreams of eminence and depressing everyday unsuccessful reality, we discover the meaning of life.

The moment we are living in the world we are expected to be the best person that we can possibly be. We are pressured and the stress to fulfill those shoes is very much present. As we see through Walter Mitty he dreams of people and things that he could have been and doing. His dreams show us that he does not enjoy the life that he has lived and believes that he is unaccomplished. The people that he dreams to be are people who have successfully impacted the world. When Pritichard-Mitford, a character in one of Mitty’s dreams, says, “A brilliant performance, sir” (Thurber, 2) it shows the adoration Mitty has with success. Leaving one’s mark in the world is a way that one can impact and change it. The reason human’s are living is because, as a whole, our impact must help evolve the people and places around us for the better. The stress for this is, is demonstrated as Mrs. Mitty states, “You’re tensed up again” (page 2), which shows the importance of making your mark. As Mitty dreams he see’s the significance of being accomplished and as he comes back to the real world he is stressed and tensed due to the fact that he is unable to fill those shoes himself.

In conclusion, Walter Mitty has proven that leaving your mark in the world is the meaning of life. As he demonstrates this through his dreams for success and depressed actions towards his failed reality. In the end, achieving greatest will always bring you a consummate life.

Citations:                                                                                                                                                      Leave Your Mark In The World. Digital image. Quote Addicts. Quote Addicts, n.d. Web. 8 Dec. 2016.                                                                                                                                                                          Carr, Leon, Joe Manchester, Earl Shuman, and James Thurber. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: A New Musical Based on the Classic Story. New York: S. French, 1968. Print.