Analysis Of David Foster Wallace's Essay About The Porn Industry

Every week, in the David Foster Wallace course, there was something that I could use to enhance my writing. Nevertheless, with the course often feeling more like a literature course than a writing course it did create some challenges. Even with Wallace’s essay about the porn industry, which was the most difficult for me, one take away was important. Wallace words, "Because porn films’ worlds are so sexualized, with everybody seemingly teetering right on the edge of coitus all the time and it taking only the slightest nudge or excuse— a stalled elevator, an unlocked door, a cocked eyebrow, a firm handshake— to send everyone tumbling into a tangled mass of limbs and orifices, there’s a bizarre unconscious expectation/ dread/ hope that this is what might happen in Max Hardcore’s hotel room. Yr. corresps. here find it impossible to overemphasize the fact that this is a delusion" (Wallace ch. 1), made me laugh. Wallace’s humor made me laugh, and allowed me the opportunity to how to use my sense of humor while writing. When people are laughing, it is easier to

deliver serious messages to them.
Furthermore, the subtle manner that Wallace used humor is one that I want to copy. In the final draft of my essay I wrote, "Moving into the booth the signs clearly promoted a message about guns helping people meet God." This line contains a subtle message that only a certain group will understand. Those who share my religious upbringing should hear me mocking them for having made the Second Amendment a part of their religion. One comment I received from the class, by Joseph Pascale, said, "This piece is a lot of fun, and you are able to bring out some of the absurd and humorous moments from visiting the fair", demonstrates that he understood at least part of my humor.
Nevertheless, it appears the message contained in the humor was too subtle. Diane Popenhagen commented, "Perhaps the theme could have been stated stronger", which leads me to believe my message was too vague for the class. As a writer, I need to take ownership of that, and not blame the reader. Part of the challenge with this piece was writing for a specific audience. My first choice to send this to for publication was a local online newspaper, read by a rural audience in Oregon. Delicately poking fun at our culture is acceptable. However, members of this class come from a different culture.
A great example of someone from outside my rural culture reading the essay is David Gilmore.

His own words stated, "I doubt I would ever attend a traditional fair or be interested in visiting Oregon, so this was interesting in providing a look at life in a lifestyle uniquely different from my own", which bear witness to the fact about how different we are. At the same time, his comments intrigued me. Regarding the style that I used it is clear he thought I should have taken a different approach. When he said, "I think you letting go and giving a little more caustic commentary could make this even better than it is", it demonstrated the tone he would have taken. The statement from Kelli Allen, where she said, "Randy. I am not sure there is enough gravity present to make the essay one calling for change or empathy", reinforces Gilmore’s words. Both of these statements made it clear I was too subtle for this

audience.
In reflection, the largest influence on my writing in my writing came as I watched Wallace use narrative journalism. No single line or quote influenced me, instead the entirely of Consider the Lobster: And Other Essays made a lasting impression. While some of the essays were reviews of what others had written, others were narrative journalism. Wallace reported about his own community after 9/11 in "The View from Mrs. Thompson's." He was at a porn convention in "Big Red Son", followed the McCain campaign in "Up, Simb", and revealed the shrieking death of lobsters in "Consider the Lobster" (Wallace). In all of these, he was personally engaged in the report, and this was the first time I could see myself as a journalist.
Wallace’s use of narrative journalism influenced me to attend the fair, which I wrote about in this class. In some ways the comments about me not delivering as strong of a message as I should is humorous, since writing about anything in a neutral voice is not my practice. I have avoided journalism because I had never heard of narrative journalism. Candidly, I am actually so excited over the possibilities that I am sharing the change made at the end of the essay for this course:
Finally, the words of “Horse with No Name” came to me, as I journeyed across the parking lot.
“In the desert you cannot remember your name.”
At that moment something inside me snapped. Our name speaks about who we are. Somehow, here in the heart of Oregon, amnesia has struck in epidemic proportions. The rural life of my childhood has evolved into something insincere. Livestock, once the centerpiece of the fair experience, upsets our appetites and instead stand in the distance. The faith of my childhood no longer exists in the heart of Oregon, instead some violent, perverted religion, has taken root. Outside the fairgrounds, the Confederate flag flies on vehicles and houses, as Central Oregonians swear allegiance to traitors and racists. Meanwhile, the crowd saunters along. There is no uproar, or sign of protest. Conversely, people I once admired embrace the values that have taken over, like a cancer, in Deschutes County.
I hope that this illustrates the impact this course has had on me. I am extremely passionate about social commentary, and the use of current events that I actually witness strengthens the message. After writing about the county fair, I attended a Weird Al Yankovic concert, held near my home. A friend from high school had an extra seat at the front, and center, of the concert. While the experience was fun, writing about it has a great exercise in narrative journalism.
A lesson taken from Wallace, which applies to the Weird Al piece, factors into my approach of narrative journalism. In "The View from Mrs. Thompson’s", Wallace stated, "These ladies are not stupid, or ignorant. Mrs. Thompson can read both Latin and Spanish, and Ms. Voigtlander is a certified speech therapist" (Wallace ch. 5). He was not critical of these people. At the same time, he did make quite a commentary about what was taking place. In some instances being critical is necessary, in order to achieve the goal of delivering a message. However, not all observations need to be critical. Instead, there are times when what is taking place might tell a story about the people who are there. As I watched Weird Al perform his parody, "White and Nerdy", the audience screamed with delight. The cheering audience is as white as an audience at a PGA event is. Not only are they white, but with many wearing tin foil hats it is safe to assume that the amphitheater was full of nerds, who had the great capacity of being able to laugh at themselves.
The study of Wallace opened up a completely new world for me to explore as a writer. While I learned much more than what is included in this short essay, it felt more relevant to include the impact of this course on me as a writer. Narrative journalism, mixed with humor, feels like a good fit for me. I am glad I overcame my skepticism about Wallace, and took this course.