Blog post #28 - Alice Munro and David Foster Wallace
In what ways could Wallace’s theory about education be applicable to the writing of Alice Munro? Justify your conclusion.
In David Foster Wallace’s speech “This is Water,” he
talks about how true freedom is found through education and the ability to be adjust
yourself consciously and sympathetically throughout the majority of his literary
piece this is water. "Control over how and what
you think.” This is reached through a play on the different perspectives that
are found around the world that we ignore because of the way our brains are set
up, and each individuals default mode. Through “This is Water” Wallace was able
to express to the reader that it is possible to control what we are thinking
about and block out any other thoughts that cross our mind. We can see
how Wallace’s theory of education is put into practice in Alice Munro’s short
stories. When you read Munro’s texts, you are taken into a virtual world which
is being experienced by the main character.
Between the two authors, we are shown a variety of experience
where empathy is shown towards the main character, and we are shown how to consciously
recognize our own emotions. While giving the speech, Wallace portrays life of
an average American adult, emphasizing how important it is to show empathy as well
as being open-minded. With this trait being in both authors work, it is easier
for the reader to gain empathy towards the character in the story as it shows
that the person in the story is real and many readers will be able to relate to
the situation. In addition, the way Munro presents most of her stories is in
the first person which allows her the opportunity to further emphasize the
effect to the reader, allowing the reader to be able to directly relate to that
character.
There is clearly a link between Wallace’s theory regarding
education and Alice Munro’s writing. If Wallace’s speech did what it was
intended to do, it would encourage us to develop the readers empathy and
emotional intelligence, while Munro’s short stories will help us escape our
“natural-default,” allowing us to build an adjusted, sympathetic and conscience
person.
Well written! It is significant that you mentioned Munro's use of first person narration, as this allows for the readers to get a panoramic view of the protagonist's emotions, thoughts, and point of view, as well as explicit characterization of the other characters.
ReplyDeleteThis is very insightful! I agree that there is a clear link between Wallace’s theory regarding education and Alice Munro’s writing with regards to her style of writing
ReplyDeleteI agree, that one of the connections seen with both of these authors and the text that they have would be the subject of empathy. The reader, similarly to both the stories and in real life situations, must show empathy and be able to control the lens used to and look at events through a certain perspective in order to not only understand one's own feelings through another person, but also understand other people's emotions. This would relate back to shared humanity.
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