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David Foster Wallace Analysis

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passion. C. Wallace provides a depiction of how people view everyday situations from a pessimistic perspective: D. “But most days, if you're aware enough to give yourself a choice, you can choose to look differently at this fat, dead-eyed, over-made-up lady who just screamed at her kid in the checkout line. Maybe she's not usually like this” (Wallace 20). E. Wallace’s description of the lady sounds plausible to the audience because one may have constructed similar thoughts about total strangers. By beginning his argument with the description of the lady, Wallace allows the audience to be emotionally connected to the situation, therefore, his argument becomes more applicable. F. David Foster Wallace continues to appeal to pathos: G. “It is not the least bit coincidental that adults who commit suicide with firearms almost always shoot themselves in: the head. They shoot the terrible master” (Wallace 18). H. Wallace implies that the brain can have terrible thoughts, but it is how someone chooses to deal with the thoughts. By providing this statement, Wallace furthers his argument that it is best to be self-aware of one’s thoughts. If one cannot exercise having control over one’s own thoughts, then adult life will be difficult. I. Wallace provides another description of a scenario of how people view everyday situations from a …show more content…

The commencement speech provides a favorable moment for Wallace to discuss selflessness and choosing how to think because the graduates are about to face a negative reality; however, perspectives on the world can be changed in how they think. Throughout the speech, Wallace uses rhetorical devices to persuade the graduates to be selfless and open-minded as they enter adulthood. Wallace’s use of rhetorical devices: ethos, logos, and pathos, allows the audience

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