The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Lesson Plan

Crafting a Fantasy

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

Discuss how the author crafted Mitty's daydream sequences.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.4

Structure:

Ask for volunteers from the class to read each fantasy sequence aloud. Then, as a group, discuss the following questions:

- What makes these stand out as imagined sequences? (Look for clues in the way Thurber writes, not just the content of the story!)

- What are some of the techniques Thurber uses to distinguish fantasy scenes from “real” scenes? (For example: dialogue, sound effects, tone)

- What do desires tell us about...