White noise
White noiseWhite Noise: The Heat of Numbers in Our Daily Lives
Numbers run our daily lives. It has become a fact in our society. In the case of White Noise by Don DeLillo this is shown to be true. Jack Gladney's fear of death has hidden itself within everyday life. Within the book Jack builds a life full of tangibility while acquiring little factual knowledge. He hopes that throwing himself into his Hitler Studies will give him a contented understanding of his existence. The two important revelations of the discovery of Dylar and the knowledge that his death is truly eminent have an impact so deep that he responds with drastic measures.
Throughout the story one can find that the human need for tangible belongings, something to prove their existence. The first true showing of need for tangible grasping is when Jack is taking German lessons from Howard Dunlop, one of Murray Siskind's neighbors. As the conversation between Jack and Howard continues we find that among other things Howard teaches meteorology. He found comfort in this subject after his mother's death. He states, "I realized weather was something I'd been looking for all my life. It brought me a sense of peace and security I'd never experience (55)." The weather is something that is universally tangible in the sense that one can feel its effects. Heinrich may disagree much like he did on page 24. Howard became more sociable because of the discussion of the weather. Jack's focus on Hitler also dwells on the idea of tangible objects. On page 63 he states that, "Some people put on a uniform and feel bigger, stronger, and safer. It's in this area that my obsessions dwell." One of the bigger points to my argument comes in chapter 17. A comment from a colleague ("You look so harmless") compels Jack to go on a shopping spree. In attaining more valuables Jack finds comfort in his possessions (83-4).
There is miscommunication all over the story. From rumors about men in Mylex suits to rumors about dead deer at the Kung Fu Palace. Even the main character himself says that his family is "the cradle of the world's misinformation." He also states that, "Not to know is a weapon of survival (80-2)." All this comes into conjunction with an earlier statement on page 15 when he is talking about the question of who will die first. He reasons that, "The question of dying becomes a wise reminder. It cures us of our innocence of the future. Simple things are doomed, or is that a superstitions?" Not having the full knowledge represents innocence. Misinformation keeps us from having a clear understanding of all facts. The characters want this because they cannot handle clear and simple things because it leads to doom. They want...
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