David Foster Wallace & Alice Munro

In what ways could Wallace’s theory about education be applicable to the writing of Alice Munro? Justify your conclusion.

The commencement speech “This is Water” by David Foster Wallace strives to communicate that true freedom acquired through education is the ability to be adjusted, conscious, sympathetic and empathetic. This can be achieved by gaining a heightened sense of awareness, straying from your “automatic” and “default setting” and to be “sacrificing your life for others, over and over.” In order to hold the ability to adjust one’s self to be able to be empathetic and emotionally intelligent, Wallace highlights the imperative nature of intrapersonal intelligence and interpersonal intelligence. Intrapersonal intelligence involves mindfulness and self-awareness, which he illustrates through the didactic parable of the fish. Moreover, interpersonal intelligence encompasses the ability to have an “awareness of what is so real and essential” and an awareness of the emotions of those that besiege you, which is revealed through the supermarket anecdote. Wallace suggests that higher education teaches students to develop these qualities, and allow individuals to realize that they are not the center of the universe and to encourage them to be “well-adjusted” and “conscious.” This is of great importance as often times adults get sucked into a “day in, day out” routine that involves “boredom” and “petty frustration,” but when one makes conscious decisions they can extrapolate the meaningful aspects of life. Wallace articulates that higher education does not only teach content, but the ability to manage our emotions and gain empathy. Humans unconsciously see the worst in people when they appear to be in mere frustration, and repeat this habit indefinitely until it becomes a trivial routine. It is important to strive for self-awareness and gain control over how we conceptualize our surroundings; thus adopt a positive outlook on life.

Similarly, Alice Munro cunningly narrates stories surrounding the inexorable reality of day-to-day life events. Both Munro and Wallace implant the idea of emotional intelligence through expressing human’s natural inclination to fill some kind of void. Munro’s literary works consistently emphasize the theme of change and maturity. Those who advance and change are capable of shaping their lives in a more meaningful way, and are able to sustain and solidify relationships. This is revealed through many of her texts. In the story “Royal Beatings,” when Rose’s altered her perspective of Flo from a sullen and insensitive being to one who is sympathetic, she was able to grasp a positive outlook. This, therefore, allowed Rose to be more emotionally intelligent and empathetic to Flo’s circumstances. This is also evident in “Moons of Jupiter,” as Janet undergoes changes in order to be more empathetic towards her father and therefore mend broken relationships. The theme of change is repeated in “Family Furnishings,” “Passion,” “Boys and Girls” and so forth. Through Munro’s texts it is evident how a change in perspective can elevate one’s emotional intelligence and awareness, thus allow the character’s to be more secure.

Munro’s stories are directly correlated to the concept of emotional intelligence in the way that she centers her stories around realistic characters and possibilities. Wallace suggests that one must consider the circumstances and possibilities of those around us, they could possibly be screaming at their child because they have been awake for “three straight nights holding the hand of (their) husband who’s dying of bone cancer.”  In “Moons of Jupiter” the protagonist is holding the hand of her father who is dying of cancer. Munro emphasizes that these occurrences are possible and one must be empathetic towards these possibilities. Munro builds complex characters and reveals their intricate thoughts through a first person narration. This point of view allows the readers to fully sympathize with the complex characters, and gardens empathy from the audience. This point of view also allows the readers to engage with the narrator’s thoughts, feelings, motives and perspectives. This enables the readers to trace the character’s development and allows the readers to be involved in the story. Munro’s writing style allows the readers to pose questions and deduce conclusions, which exercises how they think and thus trains them to be compassionate. Munro also cunningly displays other characters in the same way that humans would perceive them when using their default settings. In the story “Royal Beatings” Rose automatically regards Flo as unsympathetic and hostile. Munro later reveals that when Rose changes her train of thought she was able to empathize with Flo and her struggles. In psychology, a theory is revealed that by human nature individuals are inclined to commit fundamental attribution error. That is, humans have the tendency to place undue emphasis on internal characteristics (dispositional factors) and disregard external factors (situational factors or circumstances). Munro and Wallace, alike, attempt to display that individuals can train their brains to stray from this unwanted pessimistic habit.

Munro’s writing style allows the readers to undergo the struggles that her characters experience. This allows the readers to understand the character’s emotions and witness the flashbacks and thoughts the characters cognitively appraise. This reinforces the reader’s sense of awareness of not only the world around them (interpersonal intelligence) but also makes the readers aware of the personal effects of certain circumstances (intrapersonal intelligence). Furthermore, Wallace highlights that higher education allows students to realize the world is much greater than their solipsistic self. He encourages the students to embrace the world around the and discard “unconscious” thinking and their “automatic” and “default setting.” He encourages them to choose what to worship in order to attain freedom. Real freedom “involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them over and over.” Finally, stay mindful and aware your surroundings and internal feelings.