"Hidden in plain sight": language and the importance of the ordinary in Wallace, DeLillo and Wittgenstein

Allard Den Dulk, Anthony Leaker

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBNChapter

Abstract

The chapter explores the connections between David Foster Wallace and Don DeLillo, in particular their respective novels Infinite Jest and End Zone, by analyzing the similar ways in which both are engaged with the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein. Specifically, it uses Wittgenstein’s thought on how language use connects meaning and reality to compare the ‘Eschaton’ episode from Infinite Jest with the theme of games and nuclear war in End Zone.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationDavid Foster Wallace: Presences of the Other
EditorsB. Pire, P-R. Patoine
Place of PublicationEastbourne, UK
PublisherSussex Academic Press
Pages73-88
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)9781845198404
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2017

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