Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
- 1. Infinite Jest, a sprawling and complex novel by David Foster Wallace, explores themes of addiction, entertainment, and the pursuit of happiness in contemporary American society. Set in a near-future world where the calendar years are subsidized by corporate sponsorship, the novel oscillates between the lives of several characters, including the Incandenza family, who run a tennis academy, and residents of a nearby substance abuse recovery center. The narrative intertwines various plot lines, illustrating the effects of a highly mediated culture on individual lives and the pervasive sense of despair that accompanies the pursuit of pleasure. Wallace's intricate writing style, characterized by long sentences, footnotes, and deep philosophical musings, urges readers to examine the implications of excess and the nature of self-consciousness. The title itself refers to a fictional film that is so entertaining it incapacitates its viewers, serving as a metaphor for how entertainment can lead to self-destructive behavior. Infinite Jest is not only a critique of modernity's obsession with addiction and distraction but also an earnest exploration of what it means to live authentically in an age dominated by superficiality.
Who is the author of 'Infinite Jest'?
A) Don DeLillo
B) Jonathan Franzen
C) David Foster Wallace
D) Thomas Pynchon
- 2. What year was 'Infinite Jest' published?
A) 2001
B) 1998
C) 1996
D) 1994
- 3. What substance is 'Infinite Jest' a commentary on?
A) Education
B) Wealth
C) Addiction
D) Politics
- 4. What is pervasive theme throughout 'Infinite Jest'?
A) Love and romance
B) Adventure and exploration
C) War and conflict
D) Isolation and connection
- 5. Which character struggles with addiction at a rehab facility?
A) Joelle Van Dyne
B) Don Gately
C) Hal Incandenza
D) Ken Erdedy
- 6. What is the relation between Hal and James Incandenza?
A) Uncle and nephew
B) Cousins
C) Brothers
D) Father and son
- 7. Who runs the tennis academy in the novel?
A) Hal Incandenza
B) Chris Overbrook
C) Don Gately
D) James Incandenza
- 8. Which character is a tennis prodigy?
A) Ken Erdedy
B) Don Gately
C) Joelle Van Dyne
D) Hal Incandenza
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