Name:

Date:
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

While You Read

1. Pg 129 Reading Check: Why is Mrs. Mitty upset?

Mrs. Mitty is upset because she thinks Mitty is driving too fast.

2. Pg 130 Literary Analysis, Character: How does this shift/change in scenes

show that Walter Mitty is a round character?
The shift/change in scenes shows that Walter Mitty is a round character by revealing
that Mitty is able to shift back and forth between his real-world personality and his day
dream characters. This shows that he is a round character because there is more than
one aspect to his personality.

3. Pg 131 Reading Check: Why does Mitty say that next time he will wear his arm
in a sling?
Mitty says that next time he will wear his arm in a sling because he thinks that if he has
his arm in a sling, the garage man will not expect him to be able to take off the car
chains without help, and he will not feel embarrassed that he needs help.

4. Pg 133 Sprial Review, Theme: What insight into daily life is suggested by the
contrast (difference shown) between Mittys daydreams and his reality (real
life)?
The insight into daily life suggest by the contrast between Mittys daydreams and his
reality is that the contrast between Mittys successful, powerful, dynamic fantasy life and
his unfulfilling, ineffective, bland real life suggests the theme that dreams offer people
an escape from the mundane and, sometimes, disappointing reality of daily life.

5. Pg 133 Reading Check: What triggers/causes Mittys daydream about being a

military Captain?

Mittys daydream about being a military captain is triggered when he picks up a copy of
Liberty magazine and reads an article called Can Germany Conquer the World
Through the Air?

6. Pg 134 Literary Analysis, Character: How do Walter Mittys responses in this

paragraph indicate that he is a complex character?
Mittys responses in this paragraph, like Things close in indicate that he is a complex
character by revealing how his emotions are deeply affected by his dull oppressive life.
Does it ever occur to you? reveals a hidden inner life and shows his rebellious side.
These qualities make him a round character.

After You Read:

7. What distraction gets Mitty out of his first daydream?

The distraction that gets Mitty out of his first daydream is when his wife tells him that he
is driving too fast.

8. Explain how Mittys first day dream is different from his behavior in real life.

Mittys first day dream is different from his behavior in real life because in his daydream
he is a bold leader, but in real life he is meek and weak.

9. In the real world, what tasks/work/jobs are Mitty and his wife carrying
out/doing?

In the real world, Mitty and his wife are going to the hair dresser, buying overshoes,
and picking up dog food.

10. Infer: What deeds is Mitty trying to accomplish in his fantasy life?
The deeds Mitty is trying to accomplish in his fantasy life are landing a plane, doing
surgery, testifying in court, fighting in a war, and facing a firing squad.

11. How do the tasks in Mittys regular/daily life compare to those in his fantasy
life?
The tasks in Mittys regular life are dull and boring, just running errands, but the tasks in
his fantasy life are exciting, often saving people.

12. Infer: Which aspects/parts of Mittys personality trigger his final daydream?

The aspects of Mittys personality that trigger his final daydream are his low selfesteem, and his weariness at being patronized by his wife.

13. Draw Conclusion/infer: In what ways is his final daydream a comment on his
fate in real life? Explain.
Mittys final daydream about being before a firing squad is a comment on his fate in real
life because Mitty has stood-up to his wife, and he may be anticipating what will happen
to him when they get home, she might really yell at him, etc...

14. Evaluate/infer: Do Mittys daydreams help him in any way or do they hurt him?
Identify 3 details from the story to support your answer.

Mittys daydreams help him survive a humdrum/boring life. For example, his
daydreams give him confidence to interact effectively with the store clerk, entertain him
while he is waiting for Mrs. Mitty, and help him stand up to Mrs. Mitty.

15. Infer and Explain: Does Walter Mitty rely on daydreams to change the truth of
his everyday life?

Mitty does seem to rely on daydreams to change the truth of his everyday life. He uses
his daydreams to replace his humdrum everyday life with exciting, heroic truths of his
character lives. The excitement of his daydreams then creeps into his real-life
interactions and goals.