Comments on: Infinite Jest

By: Joe Nickerson

Joe Nickerson — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:04:27 +0000

Roman –

As was I when I learned that Wallace had Mary Karr’s name tattooed on his arm, inside a heart – which, come on David, what the hell were you thinking? ; )

By: Roman

Roman — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:49:58 +0000

I like it, but honestly, I think D.F.W. would be flattered and wondering what the hell you were thinking at the same time.

By: Eznod

Eznod — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 19:23:10 +0000

Infinite Jest was one of my absolute favorite books of all time. This is a beautiful tribute to the life of David.

By: 451

451 — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:14:45 +0000

Ugh. It’s so arrogant to think you can own someone else’s work. So disrespectful to the author. I realize it’s sometimes aesthetically better not to attribute, and that’s fine, but jeez. It’s important to recognize that the power in the words came from the author who wrote them, and that no matter how much you personally identify with them, you’re indebted to the source.

And literature isn’t supposed to be a wholly personal thing. Attribution is a tribute to the interconnectedness of the literary canon, to the transformative power of language, and the malleability of words.

I don’t have a problem with people who don’t attribute, because the vast majority of them recognize and respect the source material. But it’s just unbelievable to me that someone can say that a quote belongs to them. You can own your feelings, your interpretation, your reaction, but you can’t own someone else’s words.

By: ophelia

ophelia — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:57:31 +0000

But what if that personal meaning only has significance when the quote IS attributed? You’re right, tattoos are personal. Whether or not a tattooed quote cites the author is a personal choice, and neither way is more or less valid.

By: Amy

Amy — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 17:16:58 +0000

I disagree — I think it’s ridiculous to attribute a quote when it’s a tattoo. In my mind, the quote DOES belong to you because it has a unique, personalized meaning to you. When you attribute it, it takes away the personal aspect of it.

By: 451

451 — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 22:25:15 +0000

I really like that you attributed the quote. It seems that if a work is important and beautiful enough for you to tattoo it permanently on your skin, then you should also credit the source of such inspiration…just taking the words seems almost like stealing.