In his book "The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water" (2011), Charles Fishman claims that Americans are fortunate to have an easy and accessible water system. Fishman begins the course of these chapters by providing statistics that show how "Just one of the thirty-five largest cities in India has twenty-four-hour-a day water service" emphasizing the daily struggles citizens in these countries go through obtain water; water which should be easily accessible to them. In comparison to the United States, many citizens in India are illiterate because they spend the majority of their days"fetching for water" where as in the United States citizens have the opportunity to attend school and become well educated. Fishman continues his book by providing both logical and emotional appeals which portray how critical the lack of a stable water system is to India due to the fact that " forty children an hour...die from contaminated water", as well as how economy is a major obstacle. Fishman illustrates how Americans are receiving water at a very logical price in comparison to other countries that are suffering. He concludes his book by repeating some of the most crucial points he emphasized in his book. Fishman's purpose is to aware Americans and other countries of the importance of water to our daily lives and how "we as a community, or as dependents on water" should commit ourselves to the conservation of water. Fishman maintained an objective and sincere tone throughout the book.
Vocabulary:
- Dubious: (adj.) doubtful quality, untrustworthy
- Notoriously: (adj.) well-known for some bad or unfavorable quality
- Stagnant: (adj.) to be in a state of standing still, without flow or current (referring to water)
- Cataract: (n.) a large waterfall or rapids
- Dichotomy: (n.pl.) division into two parts; parts which widely contradict each other
- Flyovers: (n.) flight over a specified area as for viewing; aircraft
- Cacophonous: (adj.) having a harsh or discordant sound
- Vertiginous: (adj.) to be in constant change, unstable
- Perennials: (adj.) lasting a long time or being continuous
- Tantrum: (n.) outburst of bad temper
Tone: Objective, Honest
Rhetorical Strategies:
- Statistics: "In 2008, the Indian economy grew 9 percent. In 2006, 2007, and 2008 - three years combined - the U.S. economy grew 8.4 percent." (Pg.226) "Farmers in India use 80 percent of water consumed in the country..." (Pg.232)
- Compare/Contrast: " Honoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, both have water service 24/7...In India...there is virtually no political support for the idea of 27/7 water." (Pg. 233)
- Emotional Appeal: "One Indian toddler, not even old enough for kindergarten, dies every ninety seconds from bad water..." (Pg.223)
- Description/Imagery: " the women and girls in bright orange and turquoise shirts and blouses, the men and boys in slacks and untucked long-sleeved shirts, shorts, or T-shirts." (Pg.218)
- Simile: "They ran the water company like they would have run a small-town doctor's practice: always on call." (Pg.271)
Questions:
- Why does Fishman organize his last chapters rich on repetitions? Is this to remind readers of specific points/ideas he was targeting throughout his book?
- After reading Fishman's book, how would society's perspective towards water change? Why do you think so?
- Why does Fishman decide to connect the problem of water with the economy of the U.S. and other countries?
Quote:
"India's water problems are already becoming our water problems - not just the way we take water for granted but the fact that we fail to appreciate two things: the value of easy, reliable water service in our daily lives and our economy, and the level of investment that kind of water service requires." (Pg.235)
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