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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

  • fiction reading
  • character analysis
  • coping with failure

Putting it to work

  • maintain posture under pressure
  • find inner strength

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

  1. The pounding of the cylinders increased: ta-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa.

    Permalink to quote #21
  2. '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
  3. 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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