Good People: Analysis

David Foster Wallace’s, book is a short story which provides a touching account about a young couple facing a critical dilemma. The problem that the two are facing is because of their moral and religious obligations. The consequences of their decision from this point hence on, are likely to complicate their beliefs, their relationship and even how they relate with others around them. At the start of the story, we are able to see the thoughts of Lane Dean who is a college student. As he sits together with his girlfriend Sheri on a bench in a park, they find themselves wondering about the most workable step in regards to their unplanned pregnancy (Wallace 1). Because of this problem, the two are having hard time because of their moral stand. This article explores how David Foster Wallace uses cultural themes in his novel.

The main protagonists in the story have based their morals beliefs on God and religious doctrines. Although Sheri wants to procure an abortion, it weighs deeply on both of them. They are in fear of what they are contemplating to do. According to their cultural upbringing, Wallace writes with purposeful language to show the true feeling of desperation and nervousness when two people are about to go against their cultural upbringing. Even though Lane was a man who could easily brush the idea aside as normal, he hates himself for what is about to happen. In the book, “He hated himself for sitting so frozen. He could almost visualize himself tiptoeing past something explosive. A big stupid-looking tiptoe, like in a cartoon. The whole last black week had been this way and it was wrong” (Wallace 1) this reflects on the fact that Lane was going through terror.

Wallace sheds light on the way culture affects the people in the story. In order to find out what motivates the character, the author allows us into Lane’s head. It provides a clear picture of the tone of the character in the story and why he has to do what he has to. The readers are able to experience the inner conflict as well as he desperation that Lane was going through. Lane seems to grow anxious because their plan with his girlfriend Sheri goes against their teachings (Wallace 13). As his girlfriend sits down thinking, he is wrestling with his conscious and cannot help but feel guilty because the action is more influential on his girlfriend than it is for him.

Another motivation for Lane is that he believes that he loves Sheri and has to be by her side. After a lengthy examination with his conscious, he comes to terms with the fact that he is as responsible as his girlfriend. He reconciles with the fact that he is a hypocrite in thinking that the decision to do away with the baby is all on the Sheri. Lane recognizes that he is answerable for her and that they need to go through it together. Although he knows that she is capable of raising the child alone if she decides to, he is not ready to leave her do it by herself.

His conflict of the character comes from the need to conceal their pregnancy yet they have to conform to their religion and cultural interpretation of being moral. They are both christens who believe that killing of unborn child warrants them a place in hell. On the other hand, there are other people in the community that they look up to who would not appreciate the decision that Both Sheri and Lane are about to make. In addition, they believe that Sheri is going to act as per moral obligation but she is also relying on Lane to make the right decision. Unfortunately, gambling that Lane is good is a bad bet because Lane is not sure about his position as well. The fact that the story’s title is “Good People’’, shows that the two main characters are good people but caught in a web of confusion. They are trying to do good but still trapped in hypocrisy and duality of human nature. Sheri and Lane conflict with their morals when they decide that they want to proceed with the abortion.  On the other hand, they cannot have a child out of wedlock because they are Christians. Lane is aware about the consequences of abortion in the Christian world.

The conflict that Lane is facing makes the reader sympathize with him. He is a good man that has made mistakes like any other person. Their actions are not heinous, but just backslide of their moral upbringing. The way Lane struggles with decision portrays him as a good man who loves his girlfriend. Although he is not able to practice according to his religion, his genuine concern for Sheri put him on the map as a conscious person. As such, when he goes through this trying moment, it is difficult to ignore his anxiety. Although Lane falls to follow his Christian beliefs and becomes a hypocrite and a sinner, he is a relatable character to the readers (Wallace 254). No one is able to devote fully to their teaching because human beings have flaws. The fact that he fights to make sense out of their actions and stand by his girlfriend all through the dilemma illuminates him just as a flawed character. 

The defining moment in which Lane’s character changes is when he has to decide whether to go on with the abortion or give birth. Either way, both decisions go against their Christian religion. If Sheri was to go through with the abortion, that would be murder and if she goes through with the pregnancy, then the whole community will see through their sin of fornication. At this moment, Lane realizes that he too is responsible and that he loves Sheri. He feels like he loves her to let her face this truth alone. Although he battles with the idea that he could be confusing love, eventually he admits that he loves Sheri and is willing to face their problem together.

The most powerful person in the story is Lane because Wallace is able to let the readers inside his thoughts. He has to think for a whole week on how together with the Sheri, are going to handle their situation. The author’s move to let the reader’s inside Lane’s mind shows that he is also struggling with the need to do good. Lance’s anxiety and stress over the abortion shows that he has conscious (Wallace 256). After a long deliberation with his thoughts, he still does not abandon his girlfriend and stays by her side. He recognizes that Sheri should not be going through the dilemma alone and offers to put aside his fears and act accordingly. Although the story does not shed light on what happens in the end, he seems to have had a change of mind.

Lance’s distinctive traits are that he is a religious person. According to the story, he is the type that strives to do well according to his beliefs and seems to be struggling when he does not. He is also a thoughtful person who not only considers himself, but also his girlfriend as well. He believes that pretending that the pregnancy of his girlfriend is being hypocritical and strives to change that. According to his actions, appears to have a focus geared to make his life better and that is why he is struggling with the idea of abortion because it seems that it is coming in his way. Lane is also remorseful; knows that Sheri is having a hard time and feels pity towards her (Wallace 258).

The significance of the setting is to reflect in the way people strive to act according to their beliefs. Because young people today go through many temptations, it may be hard for them to act according the expectations of their social peers. Wallace addresses the fact that ‘’to err is to human’’ and that the most important thing is to strive to act accordingly (Carlise 24). He reminds the readers that nobody is perfect despite what their religion says. In addition, the author is trying to get the attention of the readers who most likely will relate with Lane and the dilemma that he is in. the setting gives the readers the opportunity to think about their personal problems, it may not be pregnancy, but people sin everyday despite being good people.

Works Cited

Carlisle, Greg. Elegant Complexity: A Study of David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest. Los 

Angeles-Austin: Sideshow Media Group, 2007.

Wallace, David Foster. ‘’Good People’’. The Norton Introduction to Literature. 12ed. Kelly J. 

Mays New York: WW Norton, 2016. Pp. 254-258. Print.

Wallace, David Foster. Infinite jest. Hachette UK, 2011.