The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", the power behind imagination is revealed. The use of narrative point of view, the clear juxtaposition of real life and of Mitty's imagination, as well as the diction, allegories and symbolism used contribute to the theme in various ways. The story takes place in a limited omniscient narrative point of view and shows what Mitty is thinking as well. than general actions within the story For example, when Mitty "walks past the hospital on his way to the parking lot" (Thurber 34), his imagination showing him as a surgeon is shown and connections between his real life and. his fantasy life can be established The ability to understand his state of mind and fantasies develops his character and theme through the juxtaposition of Mitty's reality and his imagination. The contrast between reality and fantasy is quite evident. In reality, Mitty leads a boring, controlled life where he feels demeaned. His overbearing wife and the people around him constantly tell him what to do. Mitty's way of escaping and coping with his controlling life is through his imagination. His fantasies are vivid and exciting compared to his real life. Another difference would be that Mitty is the one in control and gives orders. For example, when Mitty is a surgeon, he takes leadership by remaining calm in a frenetic situation, ordering his colleagues to "'give [him] a fountain pen!' » (34) and informing them that they should "'continue the operation'" (35) because the fountain pen "'will only last ten minutes'" (35). To demonstrate a clear transition between reality and fantasy, certain triggers are used. Mitty incorporates sounds, objects and people from his environment into ...... middle of paper ...... leads him to be proud in reality and reinforces the theme of being happy and confident and not letting others control what does not belong to them, the lives of others. Additionally, the theme is reinforced in the last line when it is stated that “he was shot; upright and motionless, proud and disdainful” (37). The firing squad symbolizes the people who constantly control and belittle him. This last line shows that he accepts who he is and is proud of it. Overall, the combined use of narrative point of view and the theme represented by the juxtaposition of reality versus imagination, symbolism, allegory, and diction all display the power behind imagination. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” shows that imagination is so powerful that it can serve not only as a means of escaping the difficulties of reality, but also as a coping mechanism..