Each Paragraph A Novel Of Its Own

Pages Read: 220

Pages To Go: 758

Footnotes: 77 of 388

It’s hard not to admire the sheer amount of character and drama that DFW crams into each paragraph. Of course, it helps when each paragraph can be as long as you want, but still.

The paragraph about the suicide of Joelle van Dyne is heartbreaking in its specificity, and it’s hard not to imagine what DFW’s own struggles with suicidal thoughts must have been like. Did he commit suicide? I actually don’t know for sure, but after reading this episode, I’m leaning towards yes.

*googling now*

Yes, he died of suicide. Sad. I was tempted to read more, and find out for instance if he went to medical school, but I held myself back. Save the research to the end is what I always say.

In any case, it’s admirable how DFW was able to take what were obviously his own struggles and turn them into art.

Vocab Word: Selvage an edge produced on woven fabric during manufacture that prevents it from unravelling.

You are reading my live blog of Infinite Jest. Start at the beginning.