To fully detail the depth of my argument, however, it is crucial that readers first understand the profound similarities other critics have already discovered between Wallace and his most notorious novel. Moreover, a dual-focused narratological and biographical analysis of the book indicates Wallace’s presence serves to critique the conventional novel, championing an enlightened return to themes grounded in the human condition, urging a moderate reestablishment of human dignity – of meaningful reality – in literature. A host of direct textual references, combined with the physical structure, layout, order, and design of the book, as well as the thematic relevance of Alcoholics Anonymous, suggest that David Wallace, himself, is the primary narrative voice throughout Infinite Jest. After all, who speaks is just as important as what is spoken. Similarly, the primary narrator in Infinite Jest should not be considered unimportant but imperative to all readings of the text. Let us not block out Nobokov’s Lolita long enough to forget the utter role Humbert Humbert’s vocal presence plays in transforming a tragic love story into the disturbing, scarring piece that has repulsed many of its readers. I contest, though, that knowledge of the narrator is an essential component to performing even the most elementary of analyses.

While many scholars have explored the themes, symbols, analogies, metaphors, and allusions within the book, few have examined the foundational elements of the text, most notably the unidentified, limited-omniscient speaker who tells the majority of the piece (Harris, Jacobs, Kelly). Delving into issues of race, gender, addiction, disability, and beauty, the text covers such a breadth of subjects that readers and critics alike may feel overwhelmed. When people are chugging through their first, second, or (dare I say) third readings of David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest, it is not likely that they are experiencing any jest at all.

Where’s Waldo Wallace?: Infinite Jest ’ s Return to Reality by John Smilges

Infinite jest book review