Belonging In Secret Life Of Walter Mitty And Girl

Despite their differences, isolation and belonging actually have a connection. Two short stories, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber and “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, showcase characters that are isolated. The characters are very different from their peers and do not fit into society. However, despite the isolation of these characters, they still have a sense of belonging. Throughout the stories it becomes clear that the differences of isolation and belonging are irrelevant when their connection comes into play.
In “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”, Mitty, the main character, doesn’t connect with the people around him. One might say he doesn’t belong. Due to his disappointing life he isolates himself from the world and escapes to his daydreams where he is always a respected, brave, and smart man. To quote one of his fantasies, ““The Old Man’ll get us through,” they said to one another. “The Old Man ain’t afraid of Hell!”” In this daydream Mitty is a navy commander and his fellow navy men are praising Mitty’s bravery and …show more content…
In the story, Mitty constantly escapes his isolated life to get to his daydreams. However, his imaginary existence always ends due to someone snapping at him and making him feel out of place. To quote the story, ““Back it up, Mac! Look out for that Buick!” Walter Mitty jammed on the brakes. “Wrong lane, Mac,” said the parking-lot attendant, looking at Mitty closely.” Later, after leaving the parking-lot, he thinks to himself, “They’re so damn cocky, thought Walter Mitty, walking along Main Street; they think they know everything.” He has just been brought back to reality and already he is feeling separated from the people around him. The cycle is clear. He goes into daydreams to escape isolation and as soon as he’s snapped out of them, he is immediately back into isolation. His life is a cycle of isolation and