intended. At first he believes that he will not go down in history but is then reaffirmed that he has Hitler. In hiding behind his internationally known program of Hitler studies, he is attempting to give himself immortality, leaving behind a reputation no one will soon forget. Jack constantly wonders who will die first, regarding himself and his wife, because the question of dying becomes a wise reminder. It cures our innocence of the future (DeLillio, 2057). When he is jarred awake from a myoclonic jerk he immediate references death, thinking death should be a swan dive, graceful, white-winged and smooth (DeLillo, 2058). These thoughts are what Jack clings to in an attempt to suppress his fear of death. The fear death is on an individual level and many characters in the book, including Jack and those who live and work with him, display this fear throughout the story. This surrounding fear only acts as a catalysis to increase Jacks fears. Murray says of the world "The eventual heat-death of the universe that scientists love to talk about is already well underway and you can feel it happening all around you in any large or medium-sized city. Heat and wetness." (DeLillo, 2054). This can be interpreted as referring to the slow death the city, and indeed the whole world suffers from. The reality of life is that as soon as we are born, every day takes us closer to death. This phrase makes the universe sound almost claustrophobic and feverish, as if it is already suffering. As soon as Murray says it, Jack changes the subject. This illustrates Jacks discomfort with death, especially in the face of a person who holds these ideas and opinions. In fact, Murray seems to be the only character in the story who has come to some terms with death and dying. He claims that he is learning important things everyday. Death, disease, afterlife, outer space. Its all much clearer here. I can think and see (DeLillo, 2069). Jack seems confused by this, which...
