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David Foster Wallace's Argument Analysis

Decent Essays

While I understand why David Foster Wallace makes his argument, I believe that college does prepare you for life and gives you the knowledge and skills to become a well-adjusted person. It is the college experience that allows a person to really learn about themselves. I do not believe that anything is wrong with being self-centered and focusing on yourself. Being consumed with yourself does not necessarily mean that you have no awareness of what going on in the world or have limited ability to show compassion for others. In “Kenyon Commencement Address”, David Foster Wallace argues that as long as a person tries to adjust their natural settings and alter the selfish thoughts they have, they can be considered as more adjusted individual`s. Specifically, he wants students to know that learning what to think and how to think is important to becoming a well-adjusted person and it’s not something you learn in college. Some of Wallace’s arguments I disagree with are thinking outwardly, the average person is self-centered, and being well-adjusted. In order to think outside of yourself you first have to know who you are and love yourself. Once you learn to love yourself only then will you be able to show compassion for others, make the rights choices and deal with …show more content…

There are a lot of people in this world who focuses on other people and their needs with little regard for their own. For Wallace maybe, but I have had several experiences where I was not the center of attention. One example, the day before my graduation my mother had an accident and hurt herself very badly and I sat with her all night even though I knew the next day I had to be up early for graduation, but all I cared about was her well being. If more people put themselves first it would not be hard to tell people no and help other’s in need because I don’t think the majority of people are wired that

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