In Episode 85 of the Good Scribes Only Podcast, hosts Daniel Breyer and Jeremy Streich dive deep into David Foster Wallace’s unfinished novel, The Pale King. This posthumously published work, set in an IRS office in Illinois, examines themes of boredom, bureaucracy, and the complexities of human connection. What could have been an exercise in monotony instead emerges as a profound exploration of life’s quieter truths.
The Pale King transports readers into the lives of IRS agents in the 1980s, centering on the seemingly mundane world of tax processing. It’s not your typical gripping plot-driven story; rather, it revels in the mundane, deliberately exposing the crushing monotony of work in an overstimulated world.
As Daniel notes, “At its core, this book is about humans being placed in the most mechanical roles possible, trying to navigate the dullness and finding ways to assert their humanity.” Wallace captures this struggle through the lives of IRS workers grappling with bureaucracy and searching for meaning amidst the tedium.
Wallace posits that boredom, when fully embraced, leads to an unparalleled clarity and appreciation for life. One quote from the novel encapsulates this idea:
“It turns out that bliss… lies on the other side of crushing, crushing boredom.”
The podcast hosts discuss how Wallace invites readers to confront monotony head-on, revealing the humanity and heroism in doing so. This central theme mirrors our modern struggles with constant distraction, as Jeremy reflects:
“Boredom feels like the hole to hell, but if we bore through it, we might reach a better experience on the other side.”
Despite its backdrop of tax forms and regulations, The Pale King celebrates the humanity of its characters. As Jeremy observes, Wallace crafts moments of unexpected connection, such as the interaction between the stoic Shane Drinian and Meredith Rand, a woman navigating personal struggles while working at the IRS.
This juxtaposition of rigid bureaucracy and intimate human moments underscores the novel’s paradox: it’s within the mechanical grind that people rediscover their humanity.
Amidst its heavier themes, The Pale King brims with humor. From IRS agents performing mindless tasks to absurd philosophical musings, Wallace’s wit shines. Daniel notes that Wallace’s comedic brilliance stems from his ability to highlight the absurdity of life’s routines:
“He’s such a troll, constantly pushing buttons and showing us the ridiculous things we do in our own lives.”
Wallace’s experimental style is evident in The Pale King. The novel lacks a traditional linear plot, instead presenting fragmented vignettes and characters who occasionally reappear. The hosts highlight the book’s standout section: a 100-page novella featuring Chris Fogel, a directionless college student who finds purpose in the IRS after a life-changing lecture on the nobility of tedious work.
Jeremy calls this passage “the most coherent and inspiring part of the novel,” where Wallace elevates accounting to an act of courage.
Wallace’s untimely death left The Pale King miles from completion, yet its brilliance still shines through. Daniel and Jeremy speculate on whether the novel’s fragmented nature was intentional or simply a product of its unfinished state. They also draw comparisons to Wallace’s other works, such as Infinite Jest, noting the contrast between its focus on overstimulation and The Pale King‘s exploration of monotony.
In today’s overstimulated world, Wallace’s meditation on boredom feels more relevant than ever. The hosts emphasize the parallels between the novel’s themes and our dependence on technology:
“If entertainment and distraction keep evolving, will we ever rediscover the value of simply being bored?”
Curious to explore The Pale King further? Tune into Episode 85 of the Good Scribes Only Podcast, where Daniel and Jeremy dissect the novel’s themes, humor, and the challenges of reading Wallace’s work.
