'To hell with the handkerchief,' said Walter Mitty scornfully. He took one last drag on his cigarette and snapped it away. Then, with that faint, fleeting smile playing about his lips, he faced the firing squad; erect and motionless, proud and disdainful, Walter Mitty the Undefeated, inscrutable to the last.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Walter Mitty faces death with pride and dignity despite his previous fantasies of glory.
- In plain terms
- He stays proud even in a bad spot.
- What can you take from it?
- Maintain dignity in the face of adversity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does true courage look like?
- How do you face failure?
Another view
It romanticizes passive acceptance of inevitable doom.
More from James Thurber
The pounding of the cylinders increased: ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa.
Permalink to quote #21 'Who are you?' the minstrel asked. 'I am the Golux,' said the Golux, proudly, 'the only Golux in the world, and not a mere Device.'
Permalink to quote #23 All men should strive to learn before they die what they are running from, and to, and why.
Permalink to quote #20
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