The Secret Life of Walter Mitty facts for kids

"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" is a famous short story written by James Thurber in 1939. It first appeared in The New Yorker magazine. This story is one of Thurber's most well-known works. It has been printed in many collections of American stories.

The name Walter Mitty and the word "Mittyesque" are now part of the English language. They describe someone who often gets lost in exciting daydreams. This person might not pay much attention to the real world around them. Sometimes, it can also mean someone who pretends to be something they are not.

What is "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"?

This short story is about a quiet and ordinary man named Walter Mitty. He drives his wife to Waterbury, Connecticut, for their weekly shopping trip. While his wife visits the beauty salon, Mitty has five amazing daydreams. Each daydream is inspired by something small in his everyday life.

The Story's Plot: Daydreams and Reality

The story shows how Mitty's mind escapes his boring routine. He imagines himself as a brave hero in different situations. These daydreams are much more exciting than his real life.

Mitty's Wild Adventures

First, Mitty imagines he is a brave pilot flying a U.S. Navy plane in a terrible storm. This dream ends when his wife complains he is driving too fast. Next, as he passes a hospital, he dreams he is a brilliant surgeon. He performs a very difficult and special operation.

Later, a newsboy shouts about a trial. This makes Mitty imagine himself as a cool, dangerous person testifying in a courtroom. While waiting for his wife, he reads an old magazine. It has an article asking if Germany could take over the world by air. This leads to his fourth daydream. He becomes a brave Royal Air Force pilot. He volunteers for a very risky mission to bomb an ammunition dump.

At the end of the story, Mitty stands against a wall, smoking. He imagines himself facing a firing squad. He is calm and brave, "inscrutable to the last." This final daydream shows his wish to be a hero, even in the face of danger.

The 1947 Movie Version

The story was made into a film in 1947. It starred Danny Kaye as Walter Mitty. In this movie, Mitty is a young editor for adventure magazines. The film was quite different from Thurber's original story. The movie makers changed it to fit Danny Kaye's acting style.

James Thurber, the author, was asked about the movie script many times. However, his ideas were mostly ignored by the producer, Samuel Goldwyn. Thurber was not happy with the final script. He even wrote a letter to Life magazine to say so.

There was also a radio show based on the 1947 film. Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo played their movie roles again. Another radio show in 1944 was closer to the original story. It starred Robert Benchley as Walter Mitty.

The 2013 Movie Version

20th Century Fox made another film based on the story in 2013. Ben Stiller directed it and also starred as Walter Mitty. This movie also changed a lot from the original book. Other actors in the film included Kristen Wiig and Sean Penn. The movie came out on December 25, 2013.

Walter Mitty on Stage

"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" has also been performed on stage.

Broadway Show by Thurber

James Thurber himself adapted the story for a Broadway theater show in 1960. It was part of a show called A Thurber Carnival. This stage version was very much like the short story. The only difference was that Mitty cleverly avoided being shot at the end.

A Musical Adaptation

In 1964, the story was made into a musical. This version showed Mitty at age 40. He was tempted by a singer named Willa De Wisp. She wanted him to leave his wife and truly live "the Secret Life." The musical had 17 songs. It ran for 96 performances off-Broadway. Time magazine said it was a "thoroughly pleasant musical evening."

See also

• The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty