I feel as though David Foster Wallace uses the ideas
of the “Rat Race”, selfishness, and worshipping unnecessary things in order to
show that finding true happiness does not come with materialistic things.
Instead, he emphasizes the need to put others happiness and wellbeing in front
of our own. He defines this humbling attitude as capitol truth and true
education awareness by beginning with an ironic story about a fish not
understanding what water was, even though the fish depends on water in order to survive. This is used to symbolize how the graduates have lived in this world since the day they were born, yet still do not understand what it truly is or the purpose of life. By
giving this satire like speech at a graduation ceremony, usually accompanied by
feelings of joy and happiness, Wallace is able to utilize the new graduate’s
influenceable mind to get his point across. He is very pessimistic about the
future and what it holds for the new graduates and because of this I feel like
he is able to soften the blow of what is to come in the next few years for some
of the people sitting amongst him. Having read the speech with the idea of him
being at a graduation ceremony, I felt as sense of importance as to what he trying
to say. Had he given the speech anywhere else, I think it would not have
had the same eye opening affect. Just from the few pages of his speech, I was able to
depict Wallace as a worldly pessimist who believes that the world does need a
change in order to find true happiness. He defines himself under the same terms
as he does for the other graduates, thus placing him on the same level as all
of the other students. Because of this placement, he is able to connect even
further with his audience. Wallace assumes that every graduate will go through
the boring routine of the everyday rat race instead of breaking off and trying
to maintain not only personal happiness, but others happiness as well. Although
many will relate to his speech, those who have a very optimistic view of life
would most likely feel very excluded from his speech because they believe they
are on the path they are currently on for a reason. Because his speech only appeals to some, I partially agree
and partially disagree with his argument. While I do believe that others
happiness should be taken into consideration, I also believe that every single
person has their niche and their personal activities that keep them happy; whether that
be participating in the “Rat Race” or enjoying being humble, that is for them
to decide and live with the side effects of their decision.
Although Wallace does imply that the “unconsciousness” people are lulled into by the cultural and the political climate has a negative effect on society as a whole, his outlook on the future is nonetheless positive. Even though he believes that the governing self-centeredness of the world needs to be overthrown, Wallace is hardly a pessimist. Wallace declares that under the condition that people shed the thin and seemingly harmless veneer of selfishness that governs the way they view the world around them, the future holds a society that is more aware of the conditions of his/her fellow human being. Furthermore, Wallace, on several occasions, submits to the reader’s free will to either embrace his theory or continue viewing his/herself as the paramount character of every experience of daily life. Moreover, the targeted audience of Wallace’s speech was, of course, graduates of a Liberals Arts program; however, the speech’s main points would be just as poignant if directed at any other audience of willing listeners. The topic of Wallace’s speech constantly references events and hypothetical scenarios that are experienced by not only holders of a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts, but also by people with a degree in other disciplines, and even those with no degree at all. Lastly, the core of Wallace’s argument rests in the theory that the mindless worship of not only material frivolities, but any singular entity, will reap nothing more than endless and unquenchable thirst.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comment above (Lynson) in that Mr. Wallace does indeed have a positive outlook on life, despite his some-what pessimistic language. In his commencement speech, Wallace is simply trying to break away from the cliché time wasting commencement speeches that told at every graduation, and deliever something the true of true value. The thing of tue value that Wallace is trying to deliever is the true value of what an education. Wallace explains that the REAL value of a college education is gaining a new perspective on life. He brings up simple clichés such as the atheist/religious argument to aid him in showing the audience that their perspective is center of their life because it is where the roots of all of their thoughts and actions are planted. Although it may seem pessimistic at first, Wallace is showing his audience what "reality" seems to be based on decades upon decades of real world accounts (wake up, work, drive home, repeat ect,). More importantly, Wallace is showing his peers that they have the ability to separate themselves from these crowds of boring, robotic, depressing societies if they would just put their REAL education to work. He goes on to say that if they choose to believe his theory, and put their REAL education to work, their entire perspective on life will change dramatically, in a positive manner. This concludes that an education leads to the training and using of your mind in the right manner, which ultimately leads to a better, happier life.
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ReplyDeleteI agree that every person has their own niche, and his pessimistic attitude shines through the whole speech, but for a good reason. His speech is foreshadowing the reality of adult life. Wallace warns us with the serious facts, but keeps it light at the same time by throwing in a joke. He really ties things together and makes the speech concrete. I disagree with the statement you gave about the location of the speech. I think the speech could be given in many other contexts and still be useful to all of us. From the students preparing to graduate, to the parents there to witness it, it related to everyone.
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