The last quarter of the book contains several examples of characters engaging in acts of morality, and in some cases, struggling with their evolving self-awareness.
Unable to speak while recovering in a hospital bed, Don Gately has plenty of time to reflect on his childhood and the genesis of his addiction. He begins to wonder why he never intervened on his mother’s behalf when she was repeatedly beaten by the M.P. But we recognize Gately as at least having some compassion when he reflects on the relationship he developed with his neighbor, Mrs. Waite. His capacity for remorse is confirmed when he “found himself blubbering” while making fake college IDs.
Hal’s character also evolves emotionally, beginning with his full disclosure to Mario re his marijuana habit. Perhaps even more affirming is the notion that Hal is beginning to think of how others might be affected by his actions (783). In an effort to stay clean, Hal even goes so far as to search out an NA meeting. All of these events lead is to the revelation that Hal is indeed becoming his own person, reinforced by the simple observation he makes during the blizzard. He said, “It occurred to me that I didn’t have to eat if I wasn’t hungry” (906).
Marathe has “lost the belly” for the type of work the AFR does, and in fact, treats Kate Gompert to Kahluas and milk after she sustains a head injury during a mugging. Contrary to what we would expect, the Assistant District Attorney seeks to make amends with Don Gately, hoping that it will help with his wife’s phobia. Even Himself, whose character has been portrayed as emotionally stunted, it turns out, had offered Orin some commendable fatherly advice on reasons to abstain from watching pornography.
It has been said that David Foster Wallace makes no attempts to tie up loose ends with respect to the fate of the characters in Infinite Jest. However, as readers, we can infer that many of the characters are undergoing a spiritual awakening towards the end of the novel.
Sean’s blog seems to argue that Hal is on the decline toward a nervous breakdown, and that explains his behavior in the beginning of the book. I find it interesting looking at Hal from these two different vantage points. One, he could be getting better, according to his confession to Mario, which would make him the sort of in-action hero he discussed. Or, he could be suffering an even further breakdown of the self, inflicted by the noncommunication between him and his Father, as a result of the “entertainment.” I think it is important for these two ideas of Hal to be lashed out. For me, I don’t exactly know which way to see him yet.
By: daniellesely on August 17, 2009
at 10:18 pm