Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

David Hybrinski is constantly turning his attention to David Foster Wallace's legendary work, Infinite Jest. The two obviously share the same first name, as well as a love for tennis. Wallace suffered from depression and ultimately took his own life. The themes of both depression and suicide course their way through Someone Knows. Infinite Jest and Someone Knows share parallels in terms of alternating narratives, symbolic monikers, and commentary on the demise of morality. Also, both works address issues surrounding substance abuse and self-medication. Scottoline also uses a quotation from Wallace's commencement address that describes suicide. It declares that firearms suicides occur in an effort to "shoot the terrible master," perhaps an indication that it is one's own mind that is truly the enemy (209).

Brandywine Hunt

Brandywine Hunt symbolizes the breakdown of the American family and the upshot of materialism and...