I thought it was really interesting that Himself commits suicide on April 1st. I feel like this has to have some significance. Killing yourself on a day of practical jokes? Was it meant to be the biggest joke of all time? Or maybe he felt he was a joke? I'm not sure.
the big novel is the spring 2007 course website for english 55 at pomona college in claremont, california.
San Narciso Community College (aka the Pomona Pynchon site)
Pynchon @ The Modern Word
Pynchon @ Robot Wisdom
Pynchon Notes
Pynchon-l
Don DeLillo's America
The Don DeLillo Society
Well, he is the jester, right?
I noticed that too! Suicide on April Fool's Day, the uncommon method he chooses (sticking his head in a microwave),the "something smells delicious!" bit-- these all add a weird comic tinge to his death. He's the "infinite jester", so going out in such a way would seem to be the way to leave an entertaining legacy.