“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” Expressionism/Realism Narrative
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” is a short story written by James Thurber. In this story, it shows expressionism and realism. With expression, there is mental concepts that presents memories, dreams, thoughts, flashbacks and pauses of live time. For Realism, it seeks to reproduce the effect of actuality, real life people and situations. The protagonist of the story, Walter Mitty, has a lot of experience with expression and realism, He constantly switches from a dream to reality, we see many examples of this such as him dreaming of being a surgeon “In the operating room there were whispered introductions: “A nurse hurried over and whispered to Renshaw, and Mitty saw the man turn pale. “Coreopsis has set in,” said Renshaw nervously. “If you would take over, Mitty?” To him going back to reality and almost getting into a car crash. “Back it up, Mac! Look out for that Buick!” Walter Mitty jammed on the brakes. “Wrong lane, Mac,” said the parking-lot attendant, looking at Mitty closely.
Walter lit another cigarette and began to puff. “Walterrr! Walter!” He heard his wife yell from inside the drug store, “Yes honey?” he responded as he took a peek into the store, “Stomp out that cigarette and come in and help me” she said, Walter hurried into the store and quickly began helping Ms. Mitty. When they finished their shopping, they went outside to a massive storm that had just started. Mitty quickly took out an umbrella and walked with Mrs. Mitty to their car
Captain Mitty and his crew were aboard the “Joy of the Seas” with heavy winds, heavy storm and 60 foot waves. “Captain! What are we going to do? These waves are bigger than our boat!” yelled one of the crew members. Captain Mitty was sure they were going to get out of this alive, he yelled back “Dave! Take out the anchor!” “Steve move the sails against the wind” Quickly the crew followed his orders and braced themselves against the wave. Out of pure luck the boat went right through over the wave and ended up behind it.
“Walter? Are you going to start the car?” said Ms. Mitty. “Hmmm?” said Walter, Sorry Honey it just happened again.