This is the water        

            David Foster Wallace known as an American novelist, short stories and essays writer, as well as a professor of English and creative writing. In 2005, he presented his powerful speech

 “This Is Water” to the graduating class in Kenyon College that soon became inspirational to many young adults and graduates across the country. In unobtrusive manner the writer shares his opinion on real value of education, what’s more important the freedom it provides. David Foster Wallace’s commencement speech sends the message that a good educational background helps to make right decisions in life. To prove his point Wallace shares his “bag of stories” that helped him to realize that the real freedom is being knowledgeable. The writer successful communicates to his audience through the humorous and casual tones. In addition, vivid language of the speech keeps the audience involved and helps the audience emotionally relate to the stories. Besides emotional appeal, Wallace also uses the logos and ethos appeals to ensure that his message charms the audience’s mind.

David Foster Wallace uses strong words “I am not the wise old fish,” that strengthen his credibility and appeal to ethos. The speaker points out that he doesn’t want to coach anyone. The author admits that he is not perfect but happened to realize some things. As the outcome, Wallace breaks the ice and builds trust with the audience (Wallace, 2009). In order to keep the speech more engaging he notes to the students “if you’re worried that I plan to present myself here as the wise…please don’t be.”

Wallace is not appealing or predominantly an articulate speaker for that matter. While delivering the speech he seems uncomfortable, unsure of himself, and perhaps even apprehensive but these challenges do not stop him from delivering his intended message to the young audience. Whatever he lacks in personality, literary delivery, he compensates it with captivating material. In fact, this speech did not intend to inspire nor degrade anyone (Michaelson, 2016). What Wallace proposes to the graduating class in this rousing and audacious commencement speech is nothing but the plain truth. Wallace utilizes his time on the podium not to commend or part the back of his listeners but dares his audience to climb new horizons. I personally, appreciate the direction Wallace took. Unlike other orators, he does not pamper his audience with sweet nothings or building castle in the air as is the norm with other public speakers.

 Wallace covers ordinary subject matters, applicable to an average person’s life. He contends that the minor decisions people make each day, build up character and ends up defining an individual’s destiny and finally shaping their future (McGurl, 2014). This may sound usual or secondary but Wallace gives it a new dimension and unique perspective.

 Enough of my perspective and let us look at some stylistic devices Wallace employs. The speaker makes use of Repetition and parallelism from the beginning to the end of his speech, “if you worship money and things… then you will never have enough… worship your body.. and you will always feel ugly… worship power, you will end up feeling weak and afraid… worship intellect. You will end up feeling stupid. “He goes on and on with the repetitions and repeats the word worship severally (Wallace, 2009). The parallelism of the sentences reflects real life issues in the community. Wallace advices his audience to pay keen attention to his words since they directly reflect his life and past situations hence the speech is not mere words but a experiences lived through his eyes. Wallace deepens the emotional bond formed between his audience by creating a substitute perspective when he narrows down on a woman holding the hand of her dying husband all night. In other words, Wallace utilizes repetition for emphasis and conveying his main message to the audience.

The commencement speech seems like a critical review of American traditions. Some aspects of the message come from a dark place and complicate simple issues. It is obvious that real world events are messier and complex than what the orator lets out. Therefore, the message falls flat on its face when it attempts bringing lasting solutions to the table. For example, inclusion of his suicide in the message deviates the aim of the message. In the end, it is up to the audience to come up with a solution in case he or she faces an intricate ordeal rather than end their own life; they have to generate sustainable solutions.

 In short, Time and again, David makes use of persuasive devices during the speech. He downgrades his power hence leveling the ground with his audience. He then proceeds with a fabricated sincerity and sustains a lasting and relevant connection. In addition, he makes good use of parallelism and repetition. While integrating figurative language in the speech, he gains the ability to theoretically elaborate everyday situations that are familiar with audience and keep the attention of everyone at its peak.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

McGurl, M. (2014). The Institution of Nothing: David Foster Wallace in the Program. boundary 2, 41(3), 27-54.

Michaelson, C. (2016). Business in the work and world of David Foster Wallace. Journal of Management Inquiry, 25(2), 214-222.

Wallace, D. F. (2009). This is water: Some thoughts, delivered on a significant occasion, about living a compassionate life. Hachette UK.