

Looking at the world around it is easy to get caught up in your own daily grind and be completely oblivious as to what others are experiencing. This new self-absorbed way of life; being arrogant, close minded, and power hungry has taken over how people think. David Foster Wallace addresses this problem in his commencement speech of Kenyon College. Wallace talks about the fact that people today believe they are the center of the universe and are power hungry individuals who only look out for themselves. These same people only think one way and not realize that real freedom involves sacrifice. The point of Wallace’s speech was to reach the newly graduated individuals and speak to them about the value of the liberal arts degree that they had just earned. In his speech to Kenyon College, David Foster Wallace uses his definition of freedom to inform the graduating class of what their degree really means.  

One of Wallace’s main points in his speech is his definition of freedom. He talks about how real freedom is sacrifice. The meaning of this is to teach the students that now with this degree they have a freedom that others do not. They can give themselves choices on how to act and what to do which is freedom. These students can now create their own paths because they have the knowledge to help them do this. When Wallace mentions the freedom of education he talks about how, “The really important kind of freedom involves attention and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them over and over in myriad petty, unsexy ways every day,” (Wallace, XVI). The definition of freedom that the world knows is the power to speak or act freely. Wallace is using this act to describe the degree. With the degree, the students have the power to do so much more. Generally, freedom is not used when talking about a degree but it is here. With this degree, the students are no longer imprisoned into thinking one way or acting a certain way, they have the ability to do so much more. The point is that they should not just look at this as an English degree but instead they have the ability to think bigger. By harping so much on his definition of freedom Wallace is trying to help them understand that there is so much that come with this degree. It opens paths and doors that would not have been options before. Wallace also tries to make the students understand that most people do not have the degree they just earned and they should cherish and do everything in their power to make the best of it. Wallace uses his definition of freedom to describe all the opportunities this degree opens for the students. 

Another way that Wallace gets his point across is the way he speaks. He uses direct words that stand out to the crowd. At one point in his speech Wallace uses an example of a time when he was being narrow minded. He was talking about a time when he was only thinking about himself, “About MY hungriness and MY fatigue and MY desire to just get home, and it’s going to seem for all the world like everybody else is just in my way,” (Wallace, XIV). By using the word my repeatedly he is trying to make a point. The word my is talking about oneself. The point Wallace is trying to make is that with this degree they should no longer only think about themselves. The way he was speaking was very frank and honest. When someone is being direct with their words there is no sugar coating the meaning, it is just there in the open. This helps with making a strong point because there is nothing to get in the way, he made his point loud and clear and now it is the job of the graduates to take it and apply it to themselves.  The word my also brings on strong feelings. It brings on an attitude that is all about me. The point Wallace is trying to make is that no, it is not all about me. Another time when Wallace used strong language was when he said, “In front of You or behind You,” (Wallace XII). The use of the word you is very strong here. He says is repeatedly. By repeating it over and over he is being frank and honest. He is making his point that everyone see the world through their own mind. Everyone is experiencing their own version of something.  Wallace wanted students to realize that it is not only about one self and he delivered this message with his direct language. 

In addition, David Foster Wallace also uses personal examples to talk about the freedom the degree offers. During his speech Wallace brings up an example of a supermarket. Everyone goes to the grocery store and has one objective, to get what they need and get out. No one wants to stay longer than they must. In his example Wallace talks about, “the confusing aisles, and the fact that there aren’t enough lines to check out even though it’s the main rush,” (Wallace XIII).  This example is used to show that everyone is having the same experience and nobody is enjoying it. However, most people will choose to complain and be rude to that cashier. Wallace is trying to say to be the different one. Be the person that does not complain and instead thinks about the other person and the bad day they might be having. Another example Wallace uses is when he talks about, “The disgusting long line of traffic,” (Wallace XIV). No one likes traffic. Traffic causes people to curse, get road rage, or even have panic attacks. Many people have to sit in traffic and no one enjoys it. Most people will be thinking the same way about how awful it is and be angry and bitter about it. However, Wallace is trying to use this example to show the students that they should be the different ones. With this degree they just earned they should think the other way. They should realize that most people will be thinking the easy way because they do not have the knowledge that the graduates now have. The students have the freedom to think a different way and find a silver lining. Wallace used his example that everyone in the audience could relate to, to prove his point of all this degree offers.  

Overall David Foster Wallace was trying to inform the students that they have a freedom that comes with this degree. With that degree they have the ability to teach themselves how to think differently than the masses. He was able to convey this message with his frank and honest language. Wallace also used examples that everyone could relate to, to help the audience understand his point. Wallace did a great job of informing the kids that this degree is not just money but a freedom to change and help others. 