This study is an attempt at a reading of David Foster§Wallace''s 1996 novel 'Infinite Jest' that examines§this massive work of fiction from a formal point of§view. After a discussion of Wallace''s position in§postmodern literature the study takes a close look at§some salient stylistic features, especially the§novel''s narrative technique. Thus, it exposes an§underlying formal structure in a novel whose§strategies of opacity and ambiguity have confused and§frustrated many readers. From this basis, the author§develops a conception of 'Infinite Jest' as a 'novel§of ideas' and examines themes the novel shares with§Plato''s 'Republic'. The final chapter deals with§various notions of 'performance' apparent in§'Infinite Jest', such as role-playing, pretense,§performance for an audience, and ritual. Skryť popis