Infinite Summer

Formed in the summer of 2009 to read David Foster Wallace's masterwork "Infinite Jest".
It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:08 am

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Forum rules


There are NO spoiler restrictions in this forum. Caveat emptor.



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Names and pop culture
PostPosted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:20 pm 
Offline

Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:52 am
Posts: 12
Location: Phoenix, AZ
I noticed a couple of names of minor characters are humorous pop culture references. I doubt if there is any particular significance to this, other than perhaps a statement about the prevasiveness of pop culture.

For example, one of the prorectors at ETA is Tex Watson, which is also the name of a member of the Manson Family. The form reply from the New Orleans Saints to the Moms' letter to Orin in footnote 110 (the longest footnote in the history of footnotes?) is signed "Jethro Bodine," who was of course the moronic son in "The Beverly Hillbillies" TV show.

I am sure there must be more of these little jokes that I didn't catch.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Names and pop culture
PostPosted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 7:15 am 
Offline

Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:52 am
Posts: 12
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Sorry. I meant "endnote 110," of course, not footnote.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Names and pop culture
PostPosted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:27 am 
Offline

Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:36 am
Posts: 36
Yeah, I made the Tex Watson connection. Seems like a pretty weird reference to make considering we don't really see much more of the character.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Names and pop culture
PostPosted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 3:54 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:36 am
Posts: 20
This isn't really *pop* culture, but another minor character, Hester Thrale of the Ennet House (she of the planet Earth tatoo on her belly--would it expand if she were pregnant, wondered I?) (p. 207) shares her name with the 18th-century British woman of letters and friend (lover?) of Samuel Johnson.

Wikipedia entry on the latter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hester_Thrale


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
Translated by MaĆ«l Soucaze © 2009 phpBB.fr