The style in which an author constructs their piece can send readers running or pull them into the writing. David Foster Wallace the author of “This is Water” uses a style that most authors don’t have the courage to. Wallace writes in a tone that is sarcastic but also attempts to be serious about dark topics. He often uses reciprocal ideas, meaning that you can read it word for word and it will have one meaning, but if you think about it there is also a deeper meaning behind the simple idea. However, Wallace’s most important technique in his writing and what separates him from other writers is his use of intense imagery, because it makes the piece relatable and exciting.

“This is water” opens to fish swimming and talking to each other, the image is also introduced with a sense of humor. Unlike most other authors of this style of piece Wallace opens with imagery, his own form of a hook sentence making the reader intrigued by what comes next. Imagery has its own hook, making the piece relatable. A piece that illustrates a world or scenario that is visible to anyone, opens the readers mind to a new world. The topic of Wallace’s whole piece was to explain that not every moment of your life is going to be good or even make sense. His use of imagery with the fish, who don’t even know they are swimming in water makes the piece more empathetic. 

Wallace’s usage of imagery intensifies as the piece progresses, depicting putting a gun to your head, and even buying groceries. The imagery is something we can mostly all relate too. Not the potential suicide, but buying groceries in a poorly lit shopping center with bratty kids and other grumpy people. When the piece is relatable we are more likely to be pulled into what is happening, i.e. understanding the top meaning to what he is describing. However, if you look underneath his imagery he is telling a deep meaning. Everyone has a story too, and that the world doesn’t just revolve around you. The depth of his imagery allows for there to be several meanings to what he is telling, and every person may see or relate to it in a different way. Wallace wants to get the point across that you are not the center of the world, and he does this by showing that when the piece is read different readers have different ideas to what he is saying, it is not always only what you think.

Wallace depicts an image of your emotions throughout life, being happy, mad, and sad, so “you can make it to forty or fifty without wanting to shoot yourself in the head”.  The image of suicide by gun is a dark one, but like earlier in the piece the intense imagery is used to catch your attention. The image of that is something most people never face, but the style in which he states it could draw in any reader. His use of double sided imagery allows the reader to see this dark topic without out them trying it in person, potentially saving someone life. He confronts a topic that most people are to shy to talk about. He also states it with humor making it relatable. Reading this piece is not something you forget, and maybe someone out there has read this piece and was enlightened by it, took “someone off the ledge”. He uses this imagery to show that people need to focus on themselves but at the same time be considerate of others.

Other authors if they were to attack the same topics would use a lot of clichés and would not hit topics straight on. They would talk in a euphemistic style, being indirect and would almost jump around truly answering the question. For example, an author trying to talk about how a person should try to make it further in their life without paragraphs running on, making the topic not so dark and more politically correct. His use of imagery can be straight forward and harsh. He tackles topics straight on while the reader can relate and mentally be in the situation too. 

Wallace’s use of imagery separates his style of writing from other authors. He is able to be up front about what he thinks. He does not have a euphemistic style, yet he is able to be funny and not seem angry or like he is ranting. Creating a world within his piece that the reader can relate to be a part of and not just read and skim over. If Wallace did not use such intense imagery, the piece would not be the same. The imagery used allows there too be a larger message hidden within. His use of intense imagery allows for a complex read with multiple meanings but is still relatable. Imagery opens the piece, giving it depth, and allows the reader to see a world as he or she is reading. Wallace’s use of imagery is essential to this piece and would not be as memorable or relatable if he had not added such depth and texture to his piece.