Essay This Is Water By David Foster Wallace Analysis

Essay This Is Water By David Foster Wallaceanalysis Plays A Big Part

Essay: This is Water by David Foster Wallace Analysis plays A Big Part

Essay: This is Water by David Foster Wallace Analysis plays a big part in educating students in the classroom setting. Through analyzing different studying materials, students can relate to them and understand them better. Thus, analysis has an integral value in the classroom. Through analysis, complex ideas and points can be broken down into digestible and well-understood concepts in the classroom. Further, it can be used as an aid to teaching.

In this assignment, the analysis of the speech given by David Foster Wallace during a graduation ceremony at Kenyon College will be examined. The aim is to break down David’s points to make them easier to understand. According to David Foster Wallace, in his speech “This is Water,” he emphasizes that the true value of education is realized when a person chooses to think critically. Wallace begins his speech with a didactic, parable-like story about a large fish meeting small fish in water, asking them, “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” The small fish are unaware of water itself, illustrating that most people are unaware of the immediate environments and assumptions that surround them (Farnam Street Media, 2019).

In this context, the small fish should recognize they are swimming in water, just as graduates often believe they understand their surroundings post-education. The harsh truth, as Wallace points out, is that many graduates barely understand the outside world. As they start their new lives, they face a world requiring true knowledge, critical thinking, and humility. Wallace uses two rhetorical tools: scenario and figurative language. The story is a fictional scenario that symbolizes real-world awareness, making a complex idea more relatable and easier to analyze.

The figurative language in Wallace's story is an analogy comparing the unaware small fish to individuals who are oblivious to their environment. The use of this analogy emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s surroundings and the impact of unexamined assumptions. This analogy encourages the audience to reflect on their own awareness and understanding of the world around them. Wallace’s intent here appeals to reason; he seeks to motivate the audience to develop real knowledge by understanding their environment and applying critical thinking in everyday situations.

Wallace argues that this awareness allows for better decision-making, leading to success and fulfillment. He posits that real education involves learning how to think, not merely possessing knowledge. It is about developing the ability to decide when and how to apply knowledge effectively. As Wallace asserts, thinking is an art acquired over time through conscious choice. It involves knowing what to focus on and what to ignore, which in turn shapes one's perceptions and ultimately life outcomes.

Many students and graduates erroneously assume they can think correctly after leaving educational institutions. However, schools tend to emphasize memorization and testing over cultivating genuine critical thinking skills. Exams primarily assess memory, leading to a superficial understanding of intelligence. Consequently, many graduates rely on rote learning rather than developing the art of deliberate thinking. Wallace emphasizes that emotions often hinder critical thinking; in stressful or demanding environments, people tend to conform to social norms and expectations rather than question or reflect critically.

For example, Wallace discusses how many graduates find themselves exhausted with demanding careers, perceiving daily life through a lens of frustration and boredom. These individuals tend to accept the typical routine without critical reflection. Wallace highlights that true education enables individuals to liberate themselves from such automatic reactions by fostering conscious thought. He advocates that learning how to choose what to think about is central to mastering the art of education.

This learning process entails autonomy and awareness, empowering individuals to direct their perceptions positively. When one learns to decide what to focus on, they practice self-awareness and self-regulation. This capacity leads to a more meaningful and fulfilled life, as one consciously molds their outlook and reactions. Wallace's message is that education’s core value lies in cultivating thoughtful, reflective individuals who can navigate life with awareness and purpose.

In conclusion, Wallace posits that the ultimate goal of education is not just the accumulation of facts but the development of independent thinking and awareness. It requires continuous effort and deliberate practice. Demonstrating the importance of critical thinking and self-awareness, Wallace encourages graduates to be mindful of their surroundings and to develop the art of choosing what to think about. This approach fosters genuine understanding and fulfillment, turning education into a lifelong journey of conscious self-growth.

Paper For Above instruction

David Foster Wallace’s speech “This is Water” serves as a powerful reminder of the true essence of education—learning how to think critically and consciously about the world around us. Delivered during the graduation ceremony at Kenyon College, the speech emphasizes that education’s value extends beyond rote memorization and the accumulation of knowledge. Instead, it lies in the ability to exercise awareness, choice, and reflection in everyday life.

Wallace introduces his core message through a compelling parable about two small fish swimming in water. He asks them how the water is, implying their obliviousness to their environment. This illustration highlights a universal human tendency to be unaware of the most immediate and essential aspects of our surroundings. Just as the small fish are unaware of water, many individuals graduate without truly understanding the environment, society, or themselves. Wallace suggests that true education equips individuals with the tools to recognize and critically engage with these environments, fostering genuine awareness.

The rhetorical tools Wallace employs—scenario and figurative language—are instrumental in conveying complex ideas in an accessible manner. The fictional account of the fish simplifies existential and philosophical questions, encouraging the audience to reflect on their own perceptions. Additionally, his analogy comparing unaware fish to unexamining individuals underscores the importance of consciousness. This analogy appeals to reason by illustrating that awareness is essential to navigating life effectively and meaningfully.

Wallace emphasizes that education should cultivate the art of thinking—an intentional, deliberate process that involves choice. He asserts that real knowledge is not just knowing facts but knowing when and how to apply them appropriately. Critical thinking involves distinguishing between superficial knowledge and a deeper understanding, which is achieved through continuous reflection and conscious decision-making. Wallace underscores that this skill is developed over time through effort and practice, not merely through formal schooling.

However, he also points out that many educational systems emphasize memorization over critical thinking, resulting in graduates who may perform well academically but lack the capacity for genuine reflection. Such individuals often fall into emotional reactions or automatic responses, especially in stressful situations. Wallace’s example of exhausted professionals caught in traffic exemplifies how people often operate on rote habits instead of deliberate thought. This automatic functioning leads to boredom, frustration, and alienation from their surroundings, illustrating the necessity for cultivating awareness and reflective thinking.

Education, according to Wallace, thus involves teaching individuals to pause, reflect, and choose their reactions intentionally. It is about learning to be present and aware of one's thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. This awareness allows people to make better choices aligned with their values and long-term happiness. For instance, one might choose to interpret traffic congestion as an opportunity for contemplation rather than annoyance. This perspective shift is foundational to living a fulfilled and authentic life.

The significance of free will and intentionality is a central theme. Wallace advocates that individuals possess the capacity to choose what they focus on and how they interpret daily events. Cultivating this skill leads to greater emotional resilience and a more meaningful existence. By mastering the art of conscious thinking, one transcends automatic reactions dictated by societal norms or emotional impulses. This approach nurtures inner peace and a sense of purpose, which Wallace regards as the core achievement of true education.

Furthermore, Wallace draws on philosophical insights, including those of Buddha, to reinforce his message. Buddha’s recognition that suffering stems from desire and that self-satisfaction can alleviate suffering aligns with Wallace’s emphasis on internal mastery. Instead of competing with others for superficial success, Wallace suggests that individuals should focus on self-awareness and self-improvement. This inward focus fosters contentment and genuine fulfillment, contrasting with external validation.

Overall, Wallace’s speech challenges the audience to rethink their understanding of education. It advocates for a shift from superficial learning towards cultivating the art of thinking—an ongoing practice of awareness, reflection, and intentional choice. This mindset empowers individuals to navigate life’s challenges with resilience, wisdom, and authenticity. As Wallace concludes, the highest achievement of education is not material success, but the capacity for self-revelation and living mindfully in the present. Therefore, students and graduates should strive to develop this art for a richer, more meaningful life.

References

• Farnam Street Media. (2019). The Fish Story: A Parable on Awareness. Farnam Street. https://fs.blog/2019/02/this-is-water/
• Wallace, D. F. (2009). This is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered to Graduates at Kenyon College. Little, Brown and Company.
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