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!
