Deborah Treisman Reads David Foster Wallace

"Good People" by David Foster Wallace depicts the internal moral struggle of Lane Dean, a young man facing an unplanned pregnancy with his girlfriend, Sherry. The narrative explores themes of faith, hypocrisy, and the paralysis of decision-making, drawing parallels to Hemingway’s "Hills Like White Elephants" through its focus on a couple navigating a life-altering choice without explicitly naming the procedure. Lane’s internal monologue reveals a deep-seated fear of being a hypocrite, as he balances his religious values against his desire to avoid the consequences of his actions. The analysis highlights Wallace’s precise editorial process, his resistance to sentimentality, and the use of doubling and projection to illustrate Lane’s fractured psyche. Ultimately, the story presents a moment of grace where Lane confronts his own capacity for love and courage, leaving the final resolution open to interpretation.