Discussion Of Rhetorical Analysis Of This Is Water By David Foster Wallace

One of the most common assumptions regarding the millennials is that they are entitled and narcissistic. Though this statement might not be completely true, we have to admit that having a large ego could be a problem for young adults. David Foster Wallace’s “This is Water” commencement speech during the Kenyon College graduation was perfect to address this issue. In his (Wallace, 2005) speech, he argues that if we are able to change our perspectives and attitudes, only then can we appreciate all the other people around us. His suggestion is that all of us have a “default state” where we unconsciously judge other people (Wallace, 2005). Knowing this will definitely make you stop and think of the circumstances you have been in and realize that

With the general assumption that millennials are arrogant, Wallace shares a story to prove to everyone that being arrogant is not worth it (Wallace, 2005). So much more can be done if we focus our energy in thinking in a more positive manner. For instance, he talked about being a little less arrogant, saying “Because a huge percentage of the stuff that I tend to be automatically certain of is, it turns out, totally wrong and deluded. I have learned this the hard way” and further claims “as I predict you graduates will, too.” (Wallace, 2005) The point here is that this is what it is supposed to mean by teaching the students how to think. It is not about having the capacity to think, but it is about the choice of what to think about (Wallace, 2005). Though it might sound simple, Wallace not only shared his own personal experience, but he also forecasted that the graduates will act the same way as well. Sure, this claim is only hypothetical and might not apply to everyone, but it puts things in perspective, that all of us are vulnerable to becoming negative thinkers. Wallace’s spot-on descriptions of how people view everyday situations from a cynical perspective allow the audience to empathize with

Everybody worships. The only choice we get is what we worship” he then adds on these few lines “If you worship money and things, then you will never have enough...”, “Worship your body and beauty and sexual allure, and you will always feel ugly…”, “Worship power, you will end up feeling weak and afraid…”, “Worship your intellect, being seen as smart, you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out…” (Wallace, 2005). These anaphors give off an impactful feel to his speech and catalyzes his audience’s feelings and appeal to their emotions. This is highly relatable for young adults, especially college graduates from such a good liberal arts school as unconsciously, the graduates might already be worshipping these material possessions. Wallace succeeds in incorporating the pathos appeal because he is able to pull on the strings of the graduates’ emotions to make them realize that there is more to life than just blindly worshipping material possessions. Instead, they have the freedom to make a choice, and think whatever they want to think or worship whatever they want to