Comparing Lord Dunsany’s Two Bottles of Relish and James Thurber’s Secr

A Comparison of Lord Dunsanys Two Bottles of thunder and James Thurbers Secret Life of Walter Mitty The Two Bottles of Relish, by Lord Dunsany, written in 1932, tells the story of Smithers, a relish vendor and London resident, in his quest to sell his product, Num-numo and, along with his new roommate, Linley, solve the murder of Nancy Elth. The 1942 short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, by James Thurber, documents the fantasies of ordinary objet dart Walter Mitty as he attempts to escape his mundane life. both Smithers and Mitty have low self-esteem and are ambitious in different ways, but they differ in imagination. Both Smithers and Mitty have low opinions of themselves and permit others to push them around. Smithers shows his feelings of inferiority when he readily admits, Im what you might call a small man and in a small way of business(42). He acknowledges his low opinion of his operate of selling relish when he says, . . . it is quite e asy to push . . . I wouldnt have gotten the job if it werent(42). Smithers concedes that Mr. Linley is superior when Smithers agrees to sleep in the hall to be out of Linleys way and to do the leg work to get the clues so that Linley can solve the murder. Walter Mitty exposes his feelings of inadequacy as he remembers bungling the removal of chains from his tires and having to pay a mechanic to correct his mistake. He is totally managed by his wife which is proven when she orders him to buy overshoes, and when he protests, she continues to put him down by saying, Weve been through that . . . Youre not a young man any longer(273). Mitty further demonstrates his inability to stand up for himself when he tolerates being given orders ... ...g(52). Also, Smithers has all the facts that he needs to solve the murder after(prenominal) he goes to Unge, but his lack of minds eye prevents him from solving the murder. Mittys imagination allows him to escape into fantasy, and Smithers lack of imagination keeps him ordinary. Smithers and Mitty feel unforesightful and are ambitious in different ways however, they differ greatly in their use of imagination. Smithers characteristics result in an ordinary man Mittys traits result in a man who arouses sympathy. Works Cited Plunkett, J. M. D. The Two Bottles of Relish. 1932. 21 Great Stories. Ed. Abraham H. Lass and Norma L. Tasman. bleak York Mentor, 1969. 42-55.Thurber, James. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. 1942. 21 Great Stories. Ed. Abraham H.Lass and Norma L. Tasman. New York Mentor, 1969. 272-277.