DFW Part 2

Suicide

A number of characters in the novel commit suicide; that is to say, in, DFW lingo, “eliminate their own maps.” The methods employed by these characters displays quite the creativity by the author.

Mr. James Orin Incandenza, the founder of Enfield Tennis Academy, father to Orin, Mario and Hal Incandenza, expert in optics and filmmaker offs himself in a rather creative way: he places his head in a microwave oven.

Kate Gompert. She tries to commit suicide but is unsuccessful in doing so.

Mrs Waite. This neighbor of young Don Gately who is presumed to be a witch by all of the neighborhood boys commits suicide by hanging (awkward foreshadowing?) after surprising Don with a birthday cake. It’s a blip in the complex web of stories presented, but it’s a heartbreaking event as the audience is left to assume the reason Mrs. Waite chose to “eliminate her map” is the lack of interest shown in her cake by the party-goers.

Eric Clipperton: Independent tennis player in the 16 He has a rather grim view on tennis and suicide. Each tennis match is played with him holding a gun to his head threatening to kill himself if he loses. So of course he wins, but the victories are hollow; he knows it, the other players know it and the officials who post ranks know it. Eventually Clipperton does himself in.