History of Ideas: David Foster Wallace
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Exploring David Foster Wallace's Nonfiction Writing
David Foster Wallace, a great essayist, wrote on a wide range of subjects. He found writing nonfiction to be a break from the difficult task of being a novelist. His essays gained appeal and charm because they were commissioned by magazines and allowed him to offer his forthright opinions. Two notable essays include "Consider the Lobster" and "Up Simba," where he passionately discusses topics such as the ethics of lobster boiling and the 2000 presidential campaign of John McCain. David Foster Wallace's outsider perspective as a novelist examining politics adds a unique and engaging perspective.
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