Nethergrave and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty are two different narratives that explore the concept of "other worlds" and the impact they have on the real world for the characters.
Nethergrave is a short story written by Gloria Skurzynski, where the main character, Jeremy, spends most of his time in the virtual world of Nethergrave, escaping from the real world. In Nethergrave, Jeremy interacts with other players and experiences adventures that he doesn't have in his actual life. However, as the story progresses, Jeremy realizes that he has neglected his real-life relationships and responsibilities. Ultimately, the impact of Nethergrave on Jeremy's real world is negative as he loses touch with reality and becomes isolated from his family and friends. This highlights the dangers and consequences of becoming too immersed in a virtual world and neglecting real-world interactions.
On the other hand, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, written by James Thurber, is a short story that explores the daydreams and fantasies of the protagonist, Walter Mitty. In contrast to Nethergrave, Mitty's other world is entirely within his own mind. Throughout the story, Mitty is portrayed as a passive and meek individual in the real world, but through his vivid daydreams, he transforms into confident and heroic characters. These daydreams provide an escape from Mitty's mundane reality and allow him to feel more empowered and in control. However, the impact of Mitty's daydreams on his real world is positive as they provide a form of mental respite and enable him to cope with his unsatisfying reality. Instead of completely disconnecting from his real-world responsibilities like Jeremy in Nethergrave, Mitty's daydreams offer him a sense of empowerment and allow him to navigate his real-world challenges with more confidence.
In conclusion, both Nethergrave and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty depict the impact of "other worlds" on the real world for the characters. While Nethergrave illustrates the negative consequences of excessive immersion in a virtual world, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty portrays the positive impact of daydreams as a coping mechanism for an unsatisfying reality.
Choose two of the “other worlds” described in the unit. Compare and contrast the ways these other worlds impacted the real world for the characters.
Nethergrave and the secret life of walter mitty
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