This article examines the writings of Cesare Pavese in order to discern possible reasons for his suicide. The article provides biographical information about the writer. Several recurrent themes throughout Pavese’s life & writings are presented. The author argues that Pavese’s constant faulty logic (oxymoronic reasoning) may have contributed to his obsession with death & suicide in 1950. Excerpts from PaveseÕs diary supplement this argument. (12 refs) (SC)