Table of ContentsIntroductionDavid Foster Wallace Short BiographyDavid Foster Wallace Speech: Thinking Outside the BoxConclusionReferencesIntroductionIn 2005, David Foster Wallace gave a commencement speech titled "This is Water" to the graduating class in 2005 at Kenyon College, a liberal arts college in Gambier, Ohio. This speech captivated his audience with its relevant style, its sincere and authentic tone and its personalized message. Wallace skillfully wove a narrative that included various parables, each conveying distinct messages, all of which contributed to his main theme: the importance of empathetic thinking. This essay analyzes how Wallace encouraged his audience to think outside the box, to move from self-centeredness to awareness of the world around them. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayDavid Foster Wallace Short BiographyDavid Foster Wallace, born February 21, 1962 in Ithaca, New York, was a renowned American novelist, short -feature writer and essayist. His parents, a philosophy professor and English teacher, undoubtedly influenced his intellectual education. In 1985, Wallace received his bachelor's degree from Amherst College and pursued a master's degree in creative writing at the University of Arizona. Wallace's literary works have left an indelible mark on many people, with many notable writers, including Matthew Gallaway and David Gordon, recognizing his profound influence. However, despite his ability to inspire others, Wallace struggled with personal demons, particularly depression, which had plagued him since his early twenties. Despite multiple attempts to find an effective antidepressant medication, he tragically committed suicide. It's up to you to move forward because I'm sure of it." This light-hearted introduction immediately captured the audience's attention. He then told a simple but profound story in which two young fish met an older fish. The old fish greeted them, asking, "Hello, boys, how is the water?" The young fish continued to swim and one of them finally asked, "What is this?" than water? Although seemingly simple, this anecdote had deep philosophical meaning The first life lesson derived from David Foster Wallace's “This is Water” speech is to delve deeper into the parable of the water. unaware of the presence of water, take it for granted. On the other hand, older fish understand the essence of water and have learned to appreciate its beauty. Wallace openly admits that he too is not a ". wise fish” and that he is still learning – an appeal to the ethos that gives credibility to his message. This parable serves as an allegory for our lives, water symbolizing the daily routine. Often we are so absorbed in our immediate concerns that we overlook the subtle wonders of the world. However, as we grow, we begin to appreciate the beauty around us. Another story shared by Wallace concerns two men sitting at a bar in the Alaskan wilderness, one an atheist and the other religious. The atheist found himself lost in a blizzard, unable to see anything. Desperate, he knelt down and shouted, "Oh my God, if there is a God, I am lost in this snowstorm and I will die if you don't help me." When he was finally rescued by a couple of Eskimos, the monk believed it was a moment of conversion. However, the atheist replied, “No, man, it was all that some Eskimos came by and showed me the way back to camp.., 68(3-4), 231-248.