
Authors often convey their theme by using a variety of elements. In this is Water, Wallace uses imagery, conflict and tone to explain that the most obvious and important realities are often the ones hardest to see and talk about. The author purposefully uses these devices to shape our thinking.

Imagery serves to put an idea in our mindsets. It allows for critical readers to understand the author’s concept further in depth. For example, Wallace describes a normal daily-life routine. As he describes the whole process of commuting to work, grocery shopping, and taking responsibility, he adds exclusive detail which makes the scene more visual. This allows for the reader to understand the author’s message much more clearly. Not only that, but it sets up a connection with the reader. The key point of using imagery is because Wallace wants the reader to exercise to visualize the subjects at a different perspective. “So the checkout line is incredibly long….But you can’t take out your frustration out on the frantic lady….who is overworked at a job…” (Wallace 14). The most important and obvious reality is the daily life routing of going to the store and buying groceries and people seem to be locked with viewing the same concepts everybody has. Instead of getting frustrated of waiting in line, take in consideration that the cashier has been working exhaustively. Without imagery, it would be difficult to understand the author’s point.

Wallace uses a desperate/unhappy tone, while describing his real-life examples. This is very crucial for this text because it allows the reader to understand the author’s feelings which facilitates the understanding of the theme. Wallace uses a term called “default setting” which is the default or normal/automatic perspective that we view things. As Wallace describes the heavy traffic, and the big lane-blocking cars, he uses several words that gives its negative mood. For example, “ …being disgusted about all the huge, stupid, lane-blocking SUV’s and Hummers and V-12 pickup trucks burning their gas…”. You notice that his derogatory language allows the reader to understand the “default setting”. However, Wallace also explains that a reason why a family bought an SUV is because of safety purposes after having a wreck with a small car. Again, Wallace uses his mood to connect with us which permits us to view things with a broader image.

Wallace uses Conflict in this text. As I have analyzed, conflict is everywhere. When he mentions the hard, working 10 hours you put in, to the grocery shopping, to the slow traffic. All of these ideas are methods of showing conflict in real life. It’s the conflict that allows Wallace to give his point. The default setting allows us to see one view only. We close our minds and don't think in other possibilities. If conflict wasn't in this text, this text would have no meaning and his point would be invalid. It is not possible to have a default setting when you do not have a conflict to begin with. That is what Wallace tends to have as a pattern. Every little example has a conflict which allow the reader to make a connection.

In this text, Wallace wants us to see things through a broader perspective. In other words, he persuades that it is better for us to have an open mind, and not be closed on one view. It could be that we aren’t aware of things, and we are so quick when it comes to judging. 