The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
In this world there is nothing that brightens my day more than a comedy, something that makes me smile or laugh even when I do not feel like it. The two short stories that I have decided to compare and contrast are “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber; and “I’m Going” by Tristan Bernard. My reasons for choosing these two particular stories are the fact that they are both comedy or shall I say they both have a touch of farce in the literature world. The one major similarity that made me come upon my decision is the fact that these two stories are based around marriage.
For me being young and in a marriage myself, it is sometimes good see others face certain issues and still maintain their relationships while doing so. The Secret life of Walter Mitty in written in more of a short story form, the story was told from one perspective and that was Walter Mitty as the author made the reader believe. However, Walter Mitty was the main character in the story, the author made a couple of insertions about his wife throughout the story, which played a major role in the story being amusing. Walter Mitty did a lot of daydreaming throughout the entire story, which also caused me to relate to him.
In every relationship, everyone needs there escape and Walter Mitty escape was mentally. After being with the same person for a lot of years things can become challenging, and the fact that Walter Mitty’s wife was always nagging did not make things any better. While going through the Ashford library I ran across a very interesting article on long lasting marriages, and in the short story of “ The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” an “I’m Going” the authors indicate that both of the couples had been married for some time due to the age they were.
The article stated that, “the couples who had been married for long periods of time indicated a high degree of realism and resilience regarding the imperfect nature of marriages and people (i. e. , spouses), recognized and accepted that marriages have ups and downs (good times and bad), and understood that commitment is the ultimate key ingrethent in longevity”. (Phillips, T. , Wilmoth, J. , & Staier, T (2009), “Secrets” to Marital Success”). With that being said, when I read “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, it made me reflect back to this article on how they say there are ups and down, good times and bad times.
Walter Mitty, in his mind was definitely having a good time until his wife interrupted as she always did. In the short story “I’m Going”, which is written and read in a play form, during the story the dialogue goes back and fourth between Henri and his wife Jeanne about going to the horse track. Just like Walter Mitty, Henri has his own escape and that is attending the horse track every weekend by his self without his wife; Sad to say that Henri plans get interrupted by his wife, who insists on joining him at the track.
Sort of like Walter Mitty, when his wife interrupts his daydreams, and bring him back into reality. Henri and Walter had one thing in common and it was that they both had nagging wives. References * Phillips, T. , Wilmoth, J. , & Staier, T.. (2009). “Secrets” to Marital Success: Using Field Interviews to Enhance Student Understanding. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 101(4), 18-19. Retrieved October 22, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 1969954921).
