“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber

1. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber Literary Analysis and Reading Skill

2. F.L.T Today, I will be able to… • identify the character traits of a round, flat, dynamic, and static character • develop the skill of recognizing the author’s purpose • so I can better understand and gain deeper insight into fiction.

3. Literary Analysis: Character Character: a __________ or an __________ who takes part in the action of a literary work. • We learn about the character through the character’s ________ and ________, the author’s __________, and what ________ say about the character. person animal words actions narration others

4. Types of Characters Round Character: complex, showing many ____________ qualities – revealing faults as well as virtues. Examples: Bruce Wayne (Batman), Aladdin, and Wolverine Flat Character: one-dimensional, showing a ______ trait. Examples: Kermit the Frog, Tiger, and Whitney from “The Most Dangerous Game” different single

5. Types of Characters Dynamic Character: develops, _________, and learns something ________ the course of a story. Examples: Katniss, Beast from “The Beauty and the Beast,” and Rainsford Static Character: remains the _______. They are usually minor characters. Examples: Polyphemus and Tiresias from The Odyssey The main character tends to be a ________ character and/or ____________ character. changes during same round dynamic

6. The main character’s development and growth are often central to a story’s ______ and _______. • As you read, consider the ______ that make characters seem ______ or ______, ______ or _______. plot theme traits round flat dynamic static

7. Reading Skill: Author’s Purpose Author’s purpose: his or her main _______ for writing. In fiction, the purpose is usually conveyed by the story’s ______, message, or insight. To determine the author’s purpose, _______ and _______ on the story’s details and events. Ask questions as the following to discover the author’s purpose: • What significance might this event have? • Why does the author include this detail? reason theme read reflect

8. “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber Vocabulary

9. distraught (adj.) She was distraught when her boyfriend broke up with her out of nowhere.

10. insolent (adj.) Her insolent words offended the guests.

11. insinuatingly (adv.) My friend looked at me insinuatingly, as if she thought I had taken the money from her purse.

12. pandemonium (n.) When the band left the stage, the crowd erupted into pandemonium.

13. derisive (adj.) With a derisive laugh, the bully pushed the little boy off the swing.

14. inscrutable (adj.) No one has ever solved the puzzle of his inscrutable personality.

15. Character Type Poster Activity • In your small group, you will work together to create a poster defining the four types of characters: round, flat, dynamic, and static Your poster should include the following. • Make four boxes. • Write down the definition of each type of character in your own words. • Find a character from a popular movie or book that fits your character type and draw them as well as you can. • Then write a 2-3 explanation of why they fit that character type.