Comparing and Contrasting "Idea Readings"

When comparing Wallace and Morrison, their speeches have very similar topics. I believe the main subject of both speeches is to live life through experience rather than going through the motions. Wallace approached this through the example of three fish. The two young fish know they are fish because they see an older fish and he says, “Morning, boys, how's the water?” The young fish proceed forward and look to each other and say, “What the hell is water?” If a fish can recognize another fish then it should know that he or she is also a fish. The two young fish are completely unaware of the fact that they are swimming in water. Wallace intended for the older fish to ask the obvious question," how's the water...", to demonstrate how age, ultimately time, has helped the older fish understand what is going on around him. Now, Morrison also started her speech in a similar fashion. The elderly woman, who was blind and wise, was visited by some young people one day. They questioned whether she was truly wise or just plain lucky. The boys present a bird and simply ask whether it is dead or alive. The most common answer a blind elderly person would be make is simply, "I don't know." Given the elderly women's current view among the many people she has amazed with her skill, she beings to struggle with the response. She gives a response, that would otherwise make most people who have bought into her unbelievable skill leave, but the young rebels understand why she gave the answer. Then the elderly women acknowledges the fact the young boys understand her. In Morrison's speech the elderly women is the one who is, going through motions, or her usual routine. The young boy gave the advice and the elderly women listened. Wallace wrote his speech in way that is was able to connect with the audience and it was also more modern. Morrison wrote her speech to be more reflective about the way people interact and connect. I disagree with Morrison when she wrote that the old women reflected about how "language" influences our future. It doesn't matter how someone explains something to you. The way that you perceive it, is going to be the way that you perceive it. No one can force you to do anything you don't want to do. Ultimately it is up to you to utilize advice and information that you obtain from others.