This is Water - Analysis

The essay titled 'This is water' was written by David Foster Wallace. The essay was presented as a speech towards university graduates as well. The general purpose and idea of this essay is to try and make the audience more aware and appreciative of the things that surround them, as well as to empathize more with people we see in our daily lives, since they could be going through what we are.  David Foster Wallace continuously encourages his intended audience to get the most out of life.

In his brief essay 'This is water', the author implements and uses more realistic examples throughout the text in order for the text to be more engaging towards the audience, as well as have a connection between his personal self and the audience. In the very beginning of his essay, David Foster Wallace tells a story about three fish. At that point this story has no meaning and has no value what so ever to the audience. However, the author was trying to show the audience how people act and think in this world, in a creative way. He then goes on to develop his main thesis by describing people as to being ignorant and unconscious at most times.

As his essay goes on, the author continues to highlight the fact that us humans are not conscious about the very basic, but important things in life. The author also touches on how although us humans are at times aware, and thinking of what is going on in our surroundings, we are still unable to analyze and reflect on the situation; which is very true indeed. He also describes the human as to being the centerpiece. What he means by that is that the human is always in the centre of attention and ignoring the reality, and what goes on around them. In other words, all they care about is themselves and are unaware.

"How can literature develop empathy and emotional intelligence?"
This question is much more obvious after the reading of the essay. Literature is able to develop empathy since the text uses some relatable and real life examples anyone can directly relate to, therefore having a bigger impact on the audience. It can develop emotional intelligence mainly that we can at least become more aware of what is around us and our surroundings; as well as also being able to connect and engage with many other peoples' situations they face that are similar to ours.