


Literary devices, though commonly overlooked as just another sentence or phrase, are actually some of the key elements an author will use to convey his or her theme in a simpler way to the reader. By looking at David Foster Wallace’s “This is Water”, we can see that he uses literary devices like repetition or refrain, imagery, and extended metaphors, like “water”, in order to convey his theme to recognize that no one is “the center of the universe,” (2). He strategically places metaphors like “water” along with imagery through everyday scenarios to effectively present this theme. And through revisiting these metaphors and scenarios throughout the work, it reinforces the idea to the reader, helping them to understand the theme on a personal level. Every one of these elements are important, as without them, the theme would’ve been unclear and vague at best. 

We are first introduced to the “water” metaphor in the introduction. Wallace begins to describe a scenario between three fish. An older fish addresses two younger fish, asking them 

“—how’s the water?” To that they responded “what the hell is water?” (Wallace 1). Throughout the story he continues to use this metaphor. He uses water in a figurative sense, to enforce the ideology that it is okay to not know everything. In fact, he wants to suggest that we should be aware of the fact that we do not “know” as much as we may think we do. The fish were so accustomed to being oblivious to their surroundings, they never stopped to observe them. Just like the fish were so easily oblivious to their surroundings, people are easily oblivious to other peoples’ situations. They are convinced that everything happens in response to something they themselves had done, that they are “the center of the universe,” (Wallace 2). That’s the theme the author is trying to get across to the reader, that no one person can be the center of the universe. Everyone has different goals, objectives, and concerns in their lives. People should be sensitive to the fact others do not make their every decision in relation to how it will affect them personally.

Wallace introduces his theme mainly through scenarios in which he revisits throughout the text. One in particular takes place on a highway setting. First he states, “It’s not impossible that some of these people in SUV’s have been in horrible auto accidents,” (Wallace, 5). Wallace is leading by example, taking into consideration the possible predicament of other people. In day to day life, it’s rare that people actually perform this way. He provides 2 ways of looking at a situation in the grocery store scenario. Lines can be one of the biggest annoyances of everyday life. He describes a mother who “just screamed at her little child in the checkout line,” (Wallace 6). Normally a person would recognize that just another bad thing that happened to them that day, being slowed down by a mother who was holding up the line yelling at her kid. Then Wallace explains the possibility that maybe that same mother has “been up three straight nights holding the hand of her husband who is dying of bone cancer,” (Wallace 6). If everyone was more considerate to these possibilities, people would lead more positive lives, not fazed by minor day to day setbacks. 

Next, he describes a very common situation saying the “Hummer that just cut [him] off.” That happens to people every day, and human instinct is to take it personally, as if the driver that cut you off did it just to offend them. In reality, that isn’t all ways the case. Wallace continues on to say that same Hummer “is maybe being driven by a father whose little child is hurt or sick in the seat next to him, and he’s trying to rush to the hospital,” (6). Unfortunately, it is rare for people’s initial reaction to think about that possibility. In fact, most would immediately complain about being cut off, and probably make a rude remark about the person’s driving. He’s communicating that if people took into scenarios like the father and son’s in the Hummer, everyday life won’t be so unbearable and life would be much more fulfilling. 

Later in the text, Wallace explains his idea that people unconsciously worship different things on a day to day basis. Though they may not recognize it, everyone does it, because as soon as you take the time to stop and complain about it, or recognize it, you’ve worshipped it with your attention. He suggests that it is because we operate on “default-settings” (Wallace 7), because of getting used to a daily routine.  He instructs that people should take charge of what they “worship”, stating that is the way to “real freedom,” (8). He uses this metaphor of “freedom” strategically to make the reader feel trapped, just how people are trapped in their day to day routines. Once people become aware of their “default setting,” they can take action to free themselves from it, making their lives more fulfilling. Wallace wants people to take control, and stop letting little problems effect their whole mood throughout life. The more time people spend letting little situations like being cut off or having to wait in line affect them, the less time they spend recognizing all the good things around them. Overtime, this takes a toll on a person’s psyche, which can ultimately lead to more serious issues. 

In conclusion, Wallace’s theme of recognizing that no one is the center of the universe is a good message for a collegiate student audience. Throughout the average 4 years, students come across countless annoyances, with late shuttles, class assignments, and poor teachers. It is important to realize that people have their own motives, and rarely do they base their decisions of someone other than you. The more pay attention to life’s little annoyance, the more annoying life becomes. 


