"Chained in a cage of the self" : narcissism in David Foster Wallace's Infinite jest
Date
2012
Authors
Piper, Adam
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Dept. of English, c2012
Abstract
Loneliness, unhappiness, and discord pervade David Foster Wallace’s novel Infinite Jest.
Parental neglect and abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, and obsession with entertainment
all work to increase characters’ narcissism and self-absorption. This increased narcissism
prevents characters from developing meaningful relationships, and this absence of
meaningful relationships contributes to the feeling of sadness that plagues the
Organization of North American Nations. Rather than confronting reality and working to
overcome their sadness by attempting to form meaningful relationships, characters
instead seek to escape this sadness through the various fantasies provided by drug-use
and entertainment. These fantasies only work to exacerbate characters’ self-absorption
and narcissism which consequently increases their unhappiness. Certain characters are
able to break free of these narcissistic impulses by turning outwards to form meaningful
relationships. As these characters break free of the “cage of the self” (777), they
experience a sense of meaning and happiness that other characters are without.
Description
iv, 114 leaves ; 29 cm
Keywords
Wallace, David Foster. Infinite jest , Wallace, David Foster -- Criticism and interpretation , Narcissism in literature , Dissertations, Academic