Monday, June 15, 2020
Function of the Fantasies - Literature Essay Samples
Walter Mitty has a miserable life. He is clumsy and cowardly. He is also always pushed around by his bossy wife, yelled at by a police, and laughed at by people who take the chains off his tires. He has a pretty hard life. This is why he is always fantasizing about being a respected, well-known person. It gives him a chance to escape from the harsh reality. Some of his fantasies are being a commander, saving the day as a doctor, and not needing a handkerchief to cover his eyes when he is getting executed. In Walter Mittyââ¬â¢s Secret Life, he is brave, strong, manly, respected, and heroic. In the plane fantasy, Walter Mitty is the commander. Theyââ¬â¢re going through a storm and Lieutenant Berg says they canââ¬â¢t make it, that the storm is too strong. But Commander Mitty, the strong, the brave, pushes on. ââ¬Å" ââ¬ËThrow on the power lights! Rev her up to 8,500! Weââ¬â¢re going through!ââ¬â¢ The pounding of the cylinders increased: ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa.â⬠This shows how Mitty keeps going, is very sure of himself, and knows he can make it through, even though he is flying through a terrible storm. He started giving orders and, ââ¬Å" The crew, bending to their various tasks, looked at each other and grinned. ââ¬ËThe Old Manââ¬â¢ll get us through,ââ¬â¢ they said to one another. ââ¬ËThe Old Man ainââ¬â¢t afraid of Hell!ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ This shows that the crew also trusts Mitty and knows Mitty will get them out unharmed. Mitty has this fantasy, because he wishes that he was in charge and was giving the orders, in stead of taking orders from his wife. In the doctor fantasy, Walter Mitty is driving by a hospital and he imagines that a nurse is talking to him about an operation that is happening in a room next to him. She is telling him that Dr. Renshaw and Dr. Benbow are operating on millionaire banker Wellington McMillan, with the help of specialist doctors Remington from New York and Pritchard-Mitford from London. Then, ââ¬Å"A door opened down a long, cool corridor and Dr. Renshaw came out. He looked distraught and haggard. ââ¬ËHello, Mitty,ââ¬â¢ he said. ââ¬ËWeââ¬â¢re having the devils own time with McMillanâ⬠¦.. ââ¬ËObstreosis of the ductal tract. Tertiary. Wish youââ¬â¢d take a look at him.ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ Here, Dr. Renshaw is stressed and is saying that the operation isnââ¬â¢t working. When he asks Mitty to come help, it shows that he trusts Mitty and knows that Mitty could help. Mitty steps into the operation room and hears, ââ¬Å"ââ¬Ë Didnââ¬â¢t know you were in the states, Mitty,ââ¬â¢ gr umbled Remington. ââ¬ËCoals to Newcastle, bringing Mitford and me up here for a tertiary.ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ ââ¬ËCoals to Newcastleââ¬â¢ is an expression which means ââ¬Å"something that is brought to somewhere where it is already plentiful.â⬠Dr. Remington meant, why bring Dr. Pritchard-Mitford and me from so far away to do this operation when Mitty, whos already here, couldââ¬â¢ve done it all by himself. He thought it was pointless to come and also thinks Mitty is very smart and capable. Then, a complicated machine, connected to the operating table began breaking down. ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËThe new anesthetizer is giving way!ââ¬â¢ shouted an interne. ââ¬ËThere is no one in the East who knows how to fix it!ââ¬â¢ ââ¬ËQuiet, man!ââ¬â¢ said Mitty in a low, cool voice. He sprang to the machineâ⬠¦ ââ¬ËGive me a fountain pen!ââ¬â¢ he snappedHe pulled a faulty piston out of the machine and inserted the pen in its place.â⬠This shows that even though the machine that a manââ¬â¢s life depended on was breaking down Mitty remained cool and collected. He is also able to fix it simply with a pen. ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËCoreopsis has set in,ââ¬â¢ said Renshaw nervously. ââ¬ËIf you would take over, Mitty?ââ¬â¢Ã¢â¬ Dr. Renshaw is scared that he wonââ¬â¢t be able to successfully complete the operation, so he asks Mitty to continue because he knows Mitty will be able to do it. Mitty has this fantasy because he wishes that he was smart enough to fix a machine, and was well-known by famous specialist doctors. Again, in this second fantasy, Mitty is the hero and saved a millionaires life. In the execution fantasy, Mitty is facing a firing squad. ââ¬Å"ââ¬ËTo hell with the handkerchief,ââ¬â¢ said Walter Mitty scornfully.â⬠Normally, his eyes would be covered with a handkerchief so he wouldnââ¬â¢t see the firing squad shoot him, but in this fantasy, he isnââ¬â¢t cowardly and is brave to not need the handkerchief. Before they shoot, ââ¬Å" he faced the firing squad; erect and motionless, proud and disdainful, Walter Mitty the Undefeated, inscrutable to the last.â⬠Mitty has this fantasy because in it he is brave and courageous, undefeated and disdainful, which is what he wishes he was. Mitty is seconds from being killed, but he is still standing proud. Mitty spends a lot of his life fantasizing about being manly, strong, brave, heroic, and respected. In real life, he is none of those things. Heââ¬â¢s the exact opposite: cowardly, clumsy, and definitely not respected. He hates his life so much he wants to die. If he could learn to stand up to his wife and not get pushed around so much, he would be much happier. Then, instead of fantasizing about a wonderful life he doesnt have, he would be living the wonderful life that he does.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)