/lit/ - Literature

>>6791133
>>6791235
Both of these are true

>>6790864
I'd rather the 4th and 5th personally but I completely agree with the sentiment, I was busy not reading as well

It's pretty shitty that we had a couple GOAT scenes back to back at a time when it seems almost everyone is behind

I just got to page 312, after the section about Poutrincourt's class and the long endnote. It's amazing how Wallace weaves in so many real details about Quebec in with his fantasy worldbuilding but I also felt Pemulis's annoyance and irritation at their conversation never seeming to end

>>6788458
If I remember correctly, that's supposed to be him as a child

>tfw 2 only days behind but 50+ pages

At least I have good stuff to catch up on...

>>6779494
Yeah there are inevitably a lot of contradictions with any theory, which is why I don't focus on the specifics of the plot much and like to think about the novel on a grander scale and things that fit more thematically rather than a whodunit approach some take to the ambiguities of the text

A lot of this has been cleared up for me during my reread with this group and thinking about what others have said, and I really think the novel functions a lot more as a cohesive whole on the second read

>>6779450
It really fits once you realize (more end spoilers/speculation) that JOI, the wraith, is the implied narrator or author of Infinite Jest, the book

It fits his style described in things like endnote 61 and makes perfect sense with the wraith's monologues later in the book

It also adds a layer of cheakiness with the Death of the Author and the whole postmodern idea

>>6779390
I agree. I like his original points that there is an antidote, and that it's a macguffin and the book is representative of an antidote but he freaked the fuck out for no reason and didn't justify or expand on a lot of his points, seemed like he thought people were attacking him for no reason

>>6779299
Not him but I'd start by saying Infinite Jest doesn't have anything near a conventional story or narrative and there are many messages to it, some more meta than others

If I were to sum up the central point, the best I could say would be "try to choose your addictions/passions" and he makes the book difficult because for many people their key addictions/passions in life are extremely easy sources of entertainment like television, drugs, sports, etc

This could also be seen as an endorsement of literature on a meta level, him offering an alternative to these easy entertainments which is why (end speculation/spoilers) Infinite Jest, the book, can be seen as the antidote for Infinite Jest, the film

>>6779078
very fitting with today's longwinded description of Orin's relationships with tennis and football

>>6777107
I think it's kind of a thematic bridge between this and The Pale King, although I know a lot of people listen to that without reading his books

>>6775254
>>6775289
>>6775674
I know a few currently studying English majors who read DFW and worship him, but the same is true for John Green

Day's comments on cliches reminded me a lot of Wallace's "This is Water" speech and other comments i've seen of his

>>6771714
That's an obvious choice and I'd love to reread that with /lit/ but I doubt I'd be able to keep up with that and half my class readings in the fall

>>6771198
>23 pages on the 4th
Damn, I should be reading ahead as well

>>6771234
I feel like this is a pretty logical conclusion to come to one you realize the book is written by JOI

Since you bring it up specifically, what do you think the symbolism of the toothbrush/teeth is? I noted in an earlier thread that I've picked up on the motif both times while reading it but don't really see why it's there

>>6769952
Just make sure there are a couple determined people to spearhead it, preferably people who've already read the book

I really like this as well, /lit/ actually talking about literature

>>6769900
It's really not that difficult. If you're studying English lit you can definitely read it, and it'll really help your vocabulary

>>6769001
Day 19, pages 258-270

>>6769733
this is how I feel as well

Today's read was really enjoyably light

It felt suitably ominous hearing Orin talking about his wheelchair stalkers, and I forgot both of the punchlines to the grief therapist section

>>6764388
That's one of a couple framing devices but only works for parts of the plot, it's a good way to get more out of it but don't read too much into it

>>6766096
Holy shit good catch

I'm amazed on rereading how small the actual time frame of most of the events are, it really feels like he's capturing all of the characters at almost the same moment

Also does anyone else picture Avril as Betty Draper?

>>6763495
Yeah, during his late teen years he was addicted to marijuana, like a few characters in Infinite Jest but as an adult he really struggled with addiction to prescription painkillers

His inability to go off those meds is what ultimately lead to his suicide

>>6762131
Height or elevation works as a good signifier for the scope of the three plots, with ETA overlooking Ennet House, and Marathe and Steeply overlooking a whole landscape

Well we finally got the schedule of years today for any newfags still playing along

I really liked the hints towards JOI in today's section

>>6750770
I feel the same way

I really struggled through the Madame Psychosis scene for some reason but I noticed a couple interesting things:
2nd mention of 8 1/2
Footnote 61 sums up Infinite Jest (the book itself)

I also really like the little anecdote about the HELP WANTED sign

>>6742105
That's the theory that's generally agreed upon although some will try to argue for other things for some reason

>>6738409
>>6738409
>>6738409
>>6738409