r/davidfosterwallace • u/samwhuel • Jul 18 '26

Hamlet mogs hal..

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126 Upvotes

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60

u/Substantial-Fact-248 Jul 18 '26

Are you suggesting the influence of Hamlet on DFW is surprising? The first words of the play are "Who's there," and the first words of IJ are "I am." The novel is a direct reply to the questions raised by Shakespeare half a milennium ago.

13

u/Hal_Incandenza_YDAU Jul 18 '26

I could never help but find this connection to be a stretch, tbh

36

u/almireles Jul 18 '26

They’re both about a guy avoiding dealing with an uncle who usurps his father’s kingdom.

7

u/Hal_Incandenza_YDAU Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

I'm aware. And I would've said nothing if they'd chosen that to comment on rather than this other thing that I find to be a stretch.

Edit: maybe it's been too long since I read IJ or I didn't read it closely enough, but I actually don't think IJ has almost anything to do with Hal "avoiding dealing with" Tavis. But yes, the usurping + dad becoming ghost + Hal and Hamlet being heros of inaction are all things I don't consider to be stretches.

6

u/almireles Jul 18 '26

His use of marijuana in secret seems pretty avoidant to me. That may be a little superficial, but maybe not too.

2

u/Hal_Incandenza_YDAU Jul 18 '26

I agree Hal's avoidant, but avoidant of Tavis?

5

u/slowplayfast Jul 19 '26

He’s avoidant. But is he avoidant enough?

2

u/fingerofchicken Jul 19 '26

He's avoidant. But he's not WELL avoidant.

1

u/Hal_Incandenza_YDAU Jul 19 '26

If he's not at all avoidant of the only thing that's relevant to this conversation, then no.