The “Good People” by David Foster Wallace addressed a dilemma of the conflict between Christian beliefs and an unexpected pregnancy out of wedlock. Wallace introduces this situation to us through a third person narration via Lane A. Dean Jr.’s perspective of the situation. Lane and Sheri (Lane’s girlfriend who is pregnant) are sitting alone on a picnic table by the lake and trying to come to terms with the decision they have made together to abort this unwanted pregnancy. Wallace seems to have left out a couple important words and although Lane and Sheri are in this situation together, there are numerous references to division that serves as a separation throughout the story. As they sit on the table Lane repeats only that he is willing to go to the appointment with Sheri. Neither
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One of the first divisions was how “the sun made the water of the shallows look black” (p. 157). Then two main characters are described sitting on a table by the lake in the sun but already there is darkness being brought into the story. The characters themselves were divided in their body language. Sheri “rocked slightly” whereas Lane “was very still and immobile” (p. 157). Another division was created in addressing that during the appointment Lane would not be able to be with Sheri and could only sit in the waiting room. The way Wallace stated Lane and Sheri had “prayed together over the phone, in a kind of half code” seemed to imply it was the two of them against the rest of the world (p. 160). There was also conflict within Lane and he explained there were “two great and terrible armies within him, opposed and facing each other” (p. 161). Lane also found himself struggling because he “was desperate to be good people” but was always feeling like a hypocrite and feeling Sheri was a better person and had stronger faith (p.
One of the first divisions was how “the sun made the water of the shallows look black” (p. 157). Then two main characters are described sitting on a table by the lake in the sun but already there is darkness being brought into the story. The characters themselves were divided in their body language. Sheri “rocked slightly” whereas Lane “was very still and immobile” (p. 157). Another division was created in addressing that during the appointment Lane would not be able to be with Sheri and could only sit in the waiting room. The way Wallace stated Lane and Sheri had “prayed together over the phone, in a kind of half code” seemed to imply it was the two of them against the rest of the world (p. 160). There was also conflict within Lane and he explained there were “two great and terrible armies within him, opposed and facing each other” (p. 161). Lane also found himself struggling because he “was desperate to be good people” but was always feeling like a hypocrite and feeling Sheri was a better person and had stronger faith (p.