Recently, just after having a session of "Munro Madness" in English class, we saw/heard a short video/ commencement speech titled 'This is water'. It taught me what I think even a college education can teach me: the value of empathy and self-control. By discussing the various happenings in day to day life, the speech uncovers the true value of literature, even if indirectly. By using concrete real life examples and exploring them in depth, Wallace forms an effective thesis and grounds it in real life.
I found some words quite enlightening: 'As I'm sure you guys know by now, it is extremely difficult to stay alert
and attentive instead of getting hypnotized by the constant monologue
inside your own head.'. I knew this, yet I did not consciously think about it. When I did, everything felt a bit different to me. Sometimes, we are so oblivious to the GOOD things happening around us, and get caught up within our own worries. By controlling my 'freedom to think', and my unconscious thoughts, this video has changed my way of thinking about certain situations. For example, when my mother and I used to fight over petty issues, I never thought about anything from her point of view. Now, however, I find it easier to talk with my mother since my empathy for her has heightened. I feel happy when I talk to her.
The grocery example is how Wallace grounds his essay in real life. By talking about the reader's perspective and looking at the world through his lens, Wallace creates a heightened sense of being with the reader. He talks about all the daily occurrences: '...slow old people and the spacey people and the ADHD kids who all block the aisle...'. By presenting an alternative lens to the reader, Wallace makes a valid argument about how everyone is going through different things. Some people might have been up for three night; others might have to drive all around the city in order to help their family get around. The value of a liberal arts education is demonstrated here, as Wallace is able to understand and empathise with everyones feelings. He does not take a didactic stance; rather, he tells the story as a person on equal footing with the reader.
Another example he talks about is the value of worship. Everyone worships something: be it power, wealth or some religious entity. If you worship wealth, you will never have enough. If you worship power, you will always feel weak. If you worship appearance, you will never look good enough to impress the person next door. If you worship intellect, you'll never feel smart
enough. But when you worship a religious entity, you fell as if you have everything. Wallace subtly suggests that the same feeling of enlightened thoughts can be attained through a thorough understanding of some literature.
You can control yourself, and use the freedom you have effectively to lead a happy life.
Through a concrete understanding of at least some kind of humanities subject, the overall understanding of human behaviour can be established on a firm pole of iron. Maybe that's why they're called the 'humanities' subjects.
DONE BY SUNDOWN
The grocery example is how Wallace grounds his essay in real life. By talking about the reader's perspective and looking at the world through his lens, Wallace creates a heightened sense of being with the reader. He talks about all the daily occurrences: '...slow old people and the spacey people and the ADHD kids who all block the aisle...'. By presenting an alternative lens to the reader, Wallace makes a valid argument about how everyone is going through different things. Some people might have been up for three night; others might have to drive all around the city in order to help their family get around. The value of a liberal arts education is demonstrated here, as Wallace is able to understand and empathise with everyones feelings. He does not take a didactic stance; rather, he tells the story as a person on equal footing with the reader.
Another example he talks about is the value of worship. Everyone worships something: be it power, wealth or some religious entity. If you worship wealth, you will never have enough. If you worship power, you will always feel weak. If you worship appearance, you will never look good enough to impress the person next door. If you worship intellect, you'll never feel smart
enough. But when you worship a religious entity, you fell as if you have everything. Wallace subtly suggests that the same feeling of enlightened thoughts can be attained through a thorough understanding of some literature.
You can control yourself, and use the freedom you have effectively to lead a happy life.
Through a concrete understanding of at least some kind of humanities subject, the overall understanding of human behaviour can be established on a firm pole of iron. Maybe that's why they're called the 'humanities' subjects.
DONE BY SUNDOWN
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