Wallace's Theory applied to Literary pieces created by Alice Munro

In his essay 'This is Water' David Foster Wallace suggeststhat true freedom acquired through education is the ability to be adjusted, conscious, and sympathetic. 
How does he develop this thesis? What examples or evidence does he use? 
How does this theory extend or relate to our inquiry question? How can literature develop empathy and emotional intelligence?

TASK: Considering the above, in what ways could Wallace’s theory about education be applicable to the writing of Alice Munro? Justify your conclusion.

David Foster Wallace explores both the reality of everyday life and our awareness to others whether that be a reaction, general consciousness or experiencing something such as a feeling. In his Essay 'This is Water', Wallace delves into the depths of hidden truths that society has chosen not to reveal, but explains that one can only learn of these through self awareness and realization. After touching up on emotional intelligence and empathy, Wallace develops his thesis by subtly using these concepts in his literary piece, provoking a typical reaction such as "Oh yeah I didn't realize that" or "That is so true". Whilst elaborating on empathy , he explains that this emotion and feeling is hard to trigger within someone and to true understand someone in the different aspects he had previously mentioned(conscious,sympathetic,adjusted) you must have this experience of feeling empathetic.

In regard to how literature can develop empathy and emotional intelligence he vaguely crosses this border allowing for the audience to figure it out for themselves after reading his essay. Literature can capture the essence of empathy and emotional intelligence through speech,actors and descriptive words that may or may not develop ones emotional intelligence or trigger an empathetic reaction. For example, a sense in ones facial expression,speech and tone could mean a change in feeling that person(or character in literature) or provoke a reaction from a previous remark or statement. Being able to recognize this through literature can vastly develops ones emotional intelligence(realization and reaction to ones change in emotion). 

With Empathy, the author generally tries to trigger emotions in the plot of the story and usually tries to relate their audience to a likable character(whether good or bad) that appeals to the reader. This creates a form of intimacy of which the reader feels as if they are not reading about x character's life or experiences, but rather sharing them with them, which can trigger an emotional reaction and therefore developing empathy in someone.

As I said earlier, Wallace stated that "Empathy is hard to create and feel" and specifically relating to Alice  Munro and her short stories, she wants to achieve this. She wants to trigger empathy to her target audience of which is prevalent to be the female gender, whether that be a younger girl or older woman. The specific appeal is how her  short stories are seemingly based off her real life experiences which relates back to how the author generally wants the reader to have a connection with a character. In every one of her short stories she creates a character to which women can relate to, creating and developing empathy out of the story. Expanding further, Munro looks to scope into another's life through experiences that people may or may have not experienced, educating them with insights while keeping the style and norm of literature allowing for education, developing of ones self(EI and empathy) and a good read. 

Quick Note : I felt very satisfied and quite enjoyed reading 'This is Water' and saw a huge connection after learning the purpose of why we studied Alice Munro and why we had been asked to read 'This is Water'. Hoped you gained insight and understood what I was trying to communicate!

The First Day - Summer Blog Post 2

I am surprised. The only word I can describe it. For 8 years in Raha this was the first that truly impressed me, just a little though. I'm not going to ramble about my opinions of the school before and  in its current state but I truly was surprised by the addressing of student feedback and its role in changing the school for the better. Although I do not enjoy school that much,  I do feel better about this year with excitement. Whether that be new facilities that may help us manage our time more efficiently or just that I am relishing the final year of studies, that is simply beyond me to answer.

With this I will say, I was happy to see my friends, most of my teachers and to be greeted with a new food provider. Since this is an English blog, I thought I would touch up on the end of last year and the start of the new year. Last year I would say was a success for me during the course as I established my knowledge whilst applying it toward assessments and the mock exams. My consolidation of ACTS skills and identifying themes,meaning and context has improved massively helping me for the mock exam and this coming year. One of the texts we all know we had studied had been Things Fall Apart, which I did not enjoy in terms of enjoyment and style of writing. The analysis was fine and all that but simply as a casual reader, it was terrible. On the other hand I am excited to read this Texts in Translations book called 'The Thief and the Dog' which will be interesting I bet. I am also excited in starting some poetry(surprised myself I know) mainly to helping my skills involving underlying themes and for the mock exams. I don't think poetry was my strong suit and this poetry unit should help with a previous text we had studied, Coriolanus.

School has started pretty well, for now at least! Until next time!

Time Flies - Summer Blog Post 1

So I sit here thinking, what a boring summer I've had. Firstly I have travelled over 34 hours this summer, including car trips from the airport to accommodation and of course flights. I'm sitting here, still exhausted and fatigued, while school begins just around the corner, pleasantly greeting me with my final year of IB. Oh how wonderful!

On a serious note, there were some positives to my summer which included staying in Mauritius and exploring the island. The hospitality on offer by the people we met exceeded my expectations and I was shocked at the copious amounts of people that spoke fluent French. I then forgot that Mauritius was a french colony alongside its neighboring island yet every day it surprised me. That one week  I spent there felt  very long, but I was enjoying myself so I guess time doesn't a fly when you are having fun!

Interestingly enough news scandals such as continued terror attacks in France and the Oscar Pistorius case had continued throughout the summer which didn't come as a shock toward me. During my trip to South Africa I felt very strongly about the Oscar Pistorius case of which was going in his decision until he walked on his limp legs in court as a pity plea which seemed to enrage me. Eventually however he was thrown into jail as lawful justice yet his jail sentence had decreased massively.

Another year at Raha, Another year in Abu Dhabi. My last and final year begins and presents numerous amounts of obstacles and challenges that I must overcome to finish the final stint of my schooling years. 

Here's hoping all goes well.

EDIT :Next Blog Post will be my first day back

Personal History - Thesis #2

The personal history of an author can have a significant influence on the way meaning is constructed in his/her writing. Comment on specific instances of such influence in Things Fall Apart.


In Chinua Achebe's novel, Things Fall Apart, there are multiple instances where Achebe's personal history has a significant influence on the way meaning is constructed in the novel.  Achebe's personal faith, along with his extended knowledge on african history, all combine to forge meaning that contributes towards the overwhelming theme of duality in the novel

TS1: Achebe's purposefully uses the character of Obereika to communicate the rich and principled African culture .He uses this character to compound the essence that the culture holds whilst communicating a larger reasoning for the locals being able to hold an open-minded outlook on religion.Achebe uses his Christian upbringing to provide two perspectives in the novel.

TS2: Achebe uses the character Mr.Brown for religious duality whilst also helping with the cultural context of the novel. This character is used to reinforce the significance of the Igbo society or "centre" in the novel.

TS3: In the poem titled "Second Coming", Achebe uses a significant chunk of this poem to articulate the duality will lead to the crumble of breaking society and "Things Fall(ing) Apart". This is further recognized through Okonkwo's downfall and role as tragic hero.

Paper 2 Thesis Practice

With reference to "Things Fall Apart", discuss how an understanding of gender influences how the text may be understood: 

Understanding of the theme gender in the novel "Things Fall Apart" is crucial in understanding roles of women and men in Igbo society and the perspective of the protagonist Okonkwo on these roles. Thus, understanding of gender can be crucial in aiding the development in cultural context and more importantly helping in the characterization of Okonkwo, by exposing his tragic flaw, harmatia.

TS1:  After his exile to Mbanta, Okonkwo reconvenes with his uncle Uchendu,who is shocked by Okonkwo's ignorance toward women inferior power in society, comparing him to a child. This underlines the extent of Okonkwo's ignorance and delusional state of mind in understanding the true roles of women. Using the juxtaposition of women and men in the novel, Achebe's comparison can further help with decontextualization of the text and understanding cultural context.

TS2: Okonkwo's daughter Enzima is a woman of manly qualities and traits, of which Okonkwo cannot resist, yet the idea of her gender, completely transforms his emotions and affection into pity. This shows how Okonkwo is unable to mesh masculine gender characteristics with the "inferior" gender due to his tragic flaw.

TS3: Okonkwo's dear friend Oberika, of who holds a different arsenal of traits in his locker, generally contradicts Okonkwo's opinions and thoughts. When interacting with him, Okonkwo is persistent with his incomprehension of women in Igbo society, which is further recognized through these conversations with his intelligent friend.

Okonkwo - Tragic Hero Archetype

It is obvious that in the novel Things Fall Apart, the protagonist is characterized as a tragic hero in one of the most common techniques of past and modern literature. The extent of its effectiveness and detail that it embodies very much exceeds the classical linguistic convention.

The novel entails of the reader witnessing a competitive Igbo society that is being destroyed, of which holds a tragic story from the exposition of the book toward its tragic demise.  We, the audience, are presented with a bold and upfront man who possesses traits of overwhelming success and power in a small village of Umofia. With only one view in the beginning, Okonkwo holds strong values of which he follows closely and had to work tirelessly throughout his life to overcome the adversities to lead him to his current success. It is only when exposed to society and different interactions and relationship we learn the true Okonkwo, thus leading us to predict and observe his inevitable downfall. This is due entirely to the audience, overlooking the novel, and quite truly understanding its meaning and Okonkwo's characterization in Igboland, whilst only realizing this upon later review. The treatment and attitudes of the people in Igboland can correlate with European culture, with disruptions in peace and never being able to co-exist successfully or for a long period of time.

With Okonkwo's masculine and anti-feministic values, contributes toward his attitude of having these values not co-exist with non physical confrontation or any other feminine way of sorting things out. Not only does this contribute to the loss of culture in Umofia, but Okonkwo is a key product of society as Achebe not only characterizes Okonkwo as a tragic hero, but rather the whole of Igboland. Okonkwo embodies true tragic hero concepts and characteristics such as Harmartia(Tragic Flaw), Hubris(Extreme Pride and Arrogance) and Peripeteia(reversal of circumstance). Furthermore these systems fail, and Okonkwo's flaws are not recognized truly of which creates the classical archetype of the tragic hero in Things fall Apart.

Achebe wants readers to understand the struggles of holding ones culture when faced with colonial powers. He wants readers to see how colonization has affected many cultures and wants them to understand a broader knowledge of how Okonkwo's tragic ending was suffered by the ignorance of his own culture and exhaustful hubris.

Okonkwo: Analysis

Throughout Things Fall Apart, Okonkwo displays a variety of characteristics and traits that either accommodate or disregard traditional Igbo culture and values.

In the exposition and throughout the novel, Okonkwo makes it very clear that he expresses dislike for his father and forces himself to be active and decisive. He uses the cultivation and harvesting of his yams to show his extremely autonomous side of his character. He uses this to show his success and his attitude and work ethic is very much a desired and important trait in the Igbo Culture. This enabled Okonkwo to embrace his wealth and attain much respect through buying titles and trying to reach ozo. This of course gave Okonkwo a higher status among the Igbo people through his hard work and personal achievements such as wrestling Amalize The Cat. With this image of himself, Okonkwo presents himself as an intimidating person of which is needed to survive in a very much competitive society."He had no patience with unsuccessful men. He had no patience with his father"(p.1)This makes him inflict these values of hard work on his child Nwoye and follows this path strictly to attain high respect from others and to maintain self respect of himself. We can contradict this statement toward the end however, as he starts to become doubtful and inevitably commits suicide of which is shameful sin in the Igbo society. Okonkwo contradicts his values of respect by fighting for pride amongst others, but ultimately when in need, asks for help from a wealthier man whilst doing so respectfully, both contributing to the Okonkwo's human nature and verisimilitude.

Okonkwo does have periods in the novel of which he loses self control such as the ending of peace week where he attacks one of his wife. This for the Igbo people was seen as disrespectful as the culture values love and marriage as an important thing in society, especially treating ones wife with respect and dignity. This portrays a lack of emotion if Okonkwo and it is shown throughout the novel the lack of compassion and respect for some of his family other than Ikemefuma and his daughter Enzima who yields the greatest influence on him. This love is shadowed by his personality creating a cloud of self image that looms upon his very shoulders . Despite not being directly instructed by the oracle and spirits, Okonkwo kills Ikemefuma to retain his self image, opposing the advice not to. "That boy calls you father, Do not bear hand in his death".Indeed this selfish, cold hearted, hard working man named Okonkwo possesses numerous traits that define him in Things Fall Apart, all of which portray him in the most humanistic manner possible whilst leading to his incredible downfall of suicide which abolishes some of the very core values that helped him thrive in the first place.