Category: David Foster Wallace

David Foster Wallace opens the speech with the fish anecdote to introduce the subject of discussion to his audience(college students); knowledge is not measured by education alone, rather acknowledging ones surroundings. The overall effect of the line This is Water demonstrates the basic realities that are overlooked in life. Wallace repeats this line twice to…

Who is Good People? Society has a general idea of what makes a person good: selflessness, righteousness, moral uprightness, and so on. The definition of good deviates from this basis when it comes to subjective perceptions of which morals are good or bad. What we define for ourselves as good or bad is either taught…

Introduction: David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech, “This Is Water,” challenges the conventional ways of thinking and prompts the audience to examine the unconscious patterns that govern their lives. This critical essay delves into Wallace’s profound insights, dissecting his examination of consciousness, empathy, and the importance of choosing how we perceive and interpret the world around…

Introduction: David Foster Wallace’s essay “Tense Present: Democracy, English, and the Wars over Usage” explores the intricacies and controversies surrounding the usage and interpretation of the English language. This critical essay delves into Wallace’s arguments, examining his insights on language, democracy, and the ongoing conflicts over linguistic norms. Body: Language and Power: Wallace highlights the…