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wheatleys |
A Bad Rap
Aug 22 2009, 10:15 AM EDT
I agree that IJ has two types of addicts. Characters like Hal and Erdedy are addicted to the process more than the drug itself. Characters like Gately and Joelle are addicted to the substance. I believe Wallace is portraying addiction’s presence on multiple levels. However, IJ is an example of marijuana’s negative connotations in society. Incidents like Michael Phelps and Diane Schuler have caste a cloud on the plant. The news makes it a point to report Diane had smoked marijuana before driving. Her blood to alcohol ratio was over the legal limit, which seems to take a side bar to her marijuana smoking. Marijuana didn’t help the equation, but alcohol caused the crash, not marijuana. Phelps said this to reporters about his marijuana smoking. “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment. I'm 23 years old and despite the successes I've had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way.” I find this unfortunate. He’s 23 years old, for him to say it’s not going to happen again is answering in a “youthful and inappropriate way.” This was an opportunity for Phelps to be an advocate, or at least questions our societies hang up with the plant, instead he opted for the easy way out. IJ also casts a judgmental net on marijuana. Has Wallace forgotten the good the drug does medicinally? I realize this is a work of fiction, but I can’t help but feel DFW has added some of his own biases. “Marijuana destroys slowly but thoroughly was the consensus” (503). Instead of concentrating on what these characters are covering up with the drug, he opts for marijuana to be the scapegoat. I would agree using substances while mentally unstable is never a good idea. I wish more people like Bill Maher would use their fame to advocate the positive aspects of marijuana and not constantly link the plant to the stereotypically phrase, “gateway drug.” Do you find this valuable?
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