David Foster Wallace Speech Analysis

David Foster Wallace was an Amherst College graduate, who delivered a unique and inspirational commencement speech at Kenyon College in 2005. In his speech, Wallace talks about his perspective on the value of a liberal arts education. In his speech, Wallace warns his audience that life is filled with daily routines, dead-eyed clerks, empty phrases and annoyance, which he then explains, can either drive a person insane or simply make them become selfish. Wallace stresses how virtually important it is to pay attention to other people’s needs. He also explains how the daily choices we me will constantly impact our lives, whether that be negative or positive.

Through a unique approach, Wallace sends an extremely informative message to his audience. He explains that what we worship is at the heart of “This is Water”. When stating this, Wallace is not referring to religion but goes on and says that the religion we choose to worship is a conscious devotion. What we care about is what essentially governs how we live our lives, as Wallace says, is also unconscious. In other words, he is implying that people often don’t acknowledge the needs of others because they are too focused on themselves.

Wallace then explains how a person cannot only change themselves, but also the community that surrounds them by simply choosing how and what to think when put in certain situation. He also gives a description of an adult’s average daily routine. Wallace elaborates on the repetition and same stale setbacks that life throws at you. Being stressed with things such as work or relationships, often lead people into thinking they are the center of the universe and that the world revolves around them. When we only focus on ourselves, we forg...

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... demonstrated how people would feel if someone else took their anger out on them. People should not only think of themselves but others as well. Everyone around us is just as important as we are.

In conclusion, when people choose to start paying more attention, they will be able to make choices that will improve the quality their lives and the life’s of others around them. Having awareness and not just becoming frustrated with people can help a person think about the lives of others. I found Wallace’s speech to be relatable to not only me, but also to others because it is a lesson that society can benefit from. Paying attention to the obvious can help a person realize all of the amazing opportunities that are being portrayed right in front of them. We all just “have to just keep reminding ourselves over and over: ‘This is water, this is water’” (Wallace 209).