The format of “This is Water” differs from many other personal essays. David Wallace teaches the audience a lesson about life through a much more direct and less fluid manner. Wallace's format follows a presentation of a didactic story with an analysis of that story. This format continues throughout the essay. The essay also does not focus as much on personal memories, but instead focuses on either didactic parables or general experiences. Although, Wallace does teach the readers and listeners a new approach to thinking and education, he continuously qualifies many of his statements. For example, Wallace writes that he will not “lecture on… so-called virtues.” Yet, by qualifying his statement, in a way, he admits that to a certain degree he will lecture on virtues.
This qualification also weakens Wallace’s argument that explains the self-centeredness thought process and the realization of this thought process. Though, Wallace’s approach is enlightening, the approach only applies when I blame others or am angry with them. This anger does arise, yet, when it does not, when the emotion is mere frustration at life, that frustration is not necessarily harmful. However, this frustration should not be taken out on others. Wallace avoids this idea in his argument, causing a weaker and less developed essay. This weakness and the unnecessary qualifications and generalized statements weaken Wallace’s ethos.
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