Self - acceptance is truly the missing link in life. Without confidence in yourself and abilities, it can leave one feeling miserable and inferior to others. In the short stories, “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber and “The Prospector’s Trail” by Cathy Jewison the protagonist are faced with the conflict of not accepting oneself which leads them to an unfulfilled life. Then they accept their places and realize to not listen to others opinions. As a result, the protagonist learns that one must accept one’s self in order to be happy in life.
First of all, both protagonists are having difficulty accepting oneself through the pressure of society leading to a miserable and unfulfilled life. In “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by …show more content…
They are able to find what truly makes them happy and accept themselves resulting in a lifelong of personal happiness. In “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” Walter is standing in the rain waiting for his wife to finish her shopping at a drugstore around the corner. As he waits, Walter is finally realizing who he actually is and is finally accepting himself. He realized that he is not going to take any more criticism and judgments from society and Mrs.Mitty controlling demeanor; “He [stands] up against the wall of the drugstore, smoking… He [puts] his shoulders back and his heels together. ‘To hell with he handkerchief,’ [says] Walter Mitty scornfully. He [takes] one last drag on his cigarette and [snaps] it away. Then, with the faint, fleeting smile playing about his lips. He [faces] the firing squad; erect and motionless, proud and disdainful” (Thurber 37). Walter is finally accepting himself and is done with Mrs.Mitty controlling him like a child. He’s come to the conclusion that he is ready and now knows what to say to Mrs. Mitty when she continues to pester him. He is ready to face anyone who stands in his way because he can finally accept his daydreaming and is not willing to change for anybody, especially not for Mrs.Mitty and society. Subsequently, in “The Prospector’s Trail” the protagonist finally accepts himself for his true self and not what he pretends to be to please others. Normal was able to find pleasure and enjoyment in his new profound profession which is prospecting and is not willing to let anyone try to change him. Norman had just had a successful first day prospecting with his mentor Roy. As he returned with old computers parts and an old red plaid shirt that Norman picked up, washed and wore. To his wife's surprise, Norman was going into business with Roy and is finally accepting himself for who he really is especially by wearing the plaid shirt symbolizing
First of all, both protagonists are having difficulty accepting oneself through the pressure of society leading to a miserable and unfulfilled life. In “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by …show more content…
They are able to find what truly makes them happy and accept themselves resulting in a lifelong of personal happiness. In “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” Walter is standing in the rain waiting for his wife to finish her shopping at a drugstore around the corner. As he waits, Walter is finally realizing who he actually is and is finally accepting himself. He realized that he is not going to take any more criticism and judgments from society and Mrs.Mitty controlling demeanor; “He [stands] up against the wall of the drugstore, smoking… He [puts] his shoulders back and his heels together. ‘To hell with he handkerchief,’ [says] Walter Mitty scornfully. He [takes] one last drag on his cigarette and [snaps] it away. Then, with the faint, fleeting smile playing about his lips. He [faces] the firing squad; erect and motionless, proud and disdainful” (Thurber 37). Walter is finally accepting himself and is done with Mrs.Mitty controlling him like a child. He’s come to the conclusion that he is ready and now knows what to say to Mrs. Mitty when she continues to pester him. He is ready to face anyone who stands in his way because he can finally accept his daydreaming and is not willing to change for anybody, especially not for Mrs.Mitty and society. Subsequently, in “The Prospector’s Trail” the protagonist finally accepts himself for his true self and not what he pretends to be to please others. Normal was able to find pleasure and enjoyment in his new profound profession which is prospecting and is not willing to let anyone try to change him. Norman had just had a successful first day prospecting with his mentor Roy. As he returned with old computers parts and an old red plaid shirt that Norman picked up, washed and wore. To his wife's surprise, Norman was going into business with Roy and is finally accepting himself for who he really is especially by wearing the plaid shirt symbolizing