University Project: David Foster Wallace and Literary Themes Analysis

This project offers a detailed analysis of David Foster Wallace, an influential American writer known for his innovative and complex literary style. The project focuses on his writing style, which is characterized by its depth, use of language, and exploration of contemporary issues. The analysis includes an examination of the themes present in his works, particularly in the short story "Good People," where the themes of morality, personal decisions, and societal expectations are explored. The project also touches on the impact of Wallace's work, referencing key literary works like "Infinite Jest." This project offers valuable insights into the author's literary contributions, making it a useful resource for students of English literature.

English
literature

DAVID FOSTER WALLACE
David was born in 1962, who was an
American writer and instructor in the field
of creative writing and English (The
newyorker, 2007).
he is one of the most creative, innovative
and influencing writers for the last 20 years.

His piece of writings are
abundant which includes
infinite Jest (1996), This is
water (2005), consider the
lobster (2005), The Pale king
(2011), Brief- interviews
(1999), Broom of the system
(1987), Girls with curious hair
(1989), Upa Simba (2000),
Fate, time and language (Kelly,
2017).

• His writing brings out some dazzling
short stories, novels, journalistic
pieces and renowned for his one of
the novel named “Infinite Jest” that
was an massive and multi-layered
work.
• Infinite Jest is the best literacy
seller whose 44000 hardcopies
have been sold and soon it
exceeded millions of copies in all
over world (Kelly, 2017).

WRITING STYLE
• The creative writing of David is in such a
way that his stories communicates to the
common people effortlessly.
• As he says that there is always a
relationship between the writer and the
reader.
• The main aim of frictionless experience
is to reflect the practical and realistic
life.
• He was the professor of the university
where the students are nurtured. He
reflects the real life stories .

THEME OF “GOOD PEOPLE”
• The story reflects the relationship
between practical decisions and
personal concerns.
• Majority of the story`s emotion rely
on boy`s contemplation of girl`s
problem (eNotes.com, 2019).

• “Good people” has the essence of themes of morality, duality
of person`s nature, and hypocrisy (The newyorker, 2007).
• The boy figures out the reason of why he is not able to love
her and whether this relationship will result going to hell.
• The boy struggles to repent on his sin and finally realises he is
just thinking of hell and simply flawed human being who tries
to please god.

GOOD PEOPLE
• This story magnificently narrates the thoughts of a boy and the
perception of his relationship with his girlfriend.
• The boy realises that he also share the same responsibility of
the situation of unwanted pregnancy.
• The moral dilemma of girlfriend has grown the concern of the
boyfriend`s dilemma (Ballantyne, & Tosi, 2015).

 He feels that he is an liar and hypocrite.
 The boy feels as a hypocrite who is
struggling to realise that all the human have
both bad as well as good qualities
(Ballantyne, & Tosi, 2015).
 The story leaves an unexpected suspense of
whether the girl attempted the abortion or
not rather than analysing the boy`s fear.

 This story conveys stating that this has just created a
sense of tension between necessity of constructing
decisions in regards to life and religious morality.
 This is a process that further examines the process of
young couple that tries to decide which decisions will
make opposition to their morale (eNotes.com, 2019).

REFERENCES
eNotes.com, (2019). What is the theme of "Good People" by David Foster Wallace?. Retrieved fr
om: https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-theme-good-people-by-david-foster-wallace-
730778
The newyorker
, (2007). Good People. Retrieved from: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/02/05/good-
people
Ballantyne, N., & Tosi, J. (2015). David Foster Wallace on the Good Life. Freedom and the Self:
Essays on the Philosophy of David Foster Wallace, 133-68.
Kelly, A. M. (2017). David Foster Wallace and New Sincerity Aesthetics: A Reply to Edward
Jackson and Joel-Nicholson-Roberts. Orbit: A Journal of American Literature.