In Wallaces essay, "This is Water" he opens with a story of two young fish swimming and ask each other, "what the hell is water?" (page 1). He then brings up the point that the most important realities are the hardest to notice and talk about. Leading to how peoples minds interpret the world around them and how they believe they are the center of the world. Wallace argues that this is natural for us as people and that we are hardwired this way at birth. Wallace emphasizes that we as people tend to think in a way that puts us at the center of the universe, like the world would end if our needs weren't met. This way of thinking is effortless which is why people tend to do it more than to be selfless and to think about others needs as well as our own.
Morrisons Nobel Speech tells us that our perspective of the world around us is influenced by language. In the story the boys ask the elderly blind lady if the bird they were holding was dead or alive. Of course the blind woman could not tell if the bird was dead or alive because of her disabilities. But this question could be interpreted in several different ways depending on the situation, because of this language affects the way we view things in the world and how we choose to live as well.
Both Wallace and Morrison focus on the idea of our choices in life. Although both authors focus on this idea they're perspectives are different because of the way interpretations are made. Wallace emphasizes on how are thoughts changed our views of life while Morrison explains how through language our views on life will be portrayed in different ways. Both authors see that life is exposed to all sorts of change and how we as people have the power to decide how we want to change or lives.
I completely agree with the theme of Morrison and Wallace explaining life is subject to change and humans are in power when it comes to implementing this kind of change. I like how you included the tools Wallace and Morrison present: Thoughts and Language. I also strongly agree that Morrison's question of the bird is open for interpretation depending on how one approaches it. When discussing Wallace's essay try including the solution to the problem he presented. The problem of the mind being set on a default level, what are the solutions Wallace provided in order to change our selfish thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI agree with the way you perceived Wallace's speech with your statement,"... the most important realities are the hardest to notice and talk about." It is easy to walk around everyday without coming to the realization that everything is constantly changing. I also agree with your thoughts on how life is exposed to change, but in what ways can life be exposed to change? Is it just interacting with certain type of people influence the way our life is lived, or are there other ways? The age of the fish in Wallace's speech can also help support your point of view. The first fish is older than the other two fish. He asked the question, “...how's the water?” Don't you think that with age comes experience? The older fish would understand the change that is happening around him, more than the two young fish.
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