White Noise by Don DeLillo is a postmodernist novel that explores the sense of unease that comes from living in a world of constant and overwhelming information. It follows the protagonist, Jack Gladney, and his family as they struggle to come to terms with their fears and anxieties in the face of modernity. The novel was published in 1985 and has been praised for its exploration of postmodern themes such as bureaucracy, visual culture and consumerism.
The novel is set in an unnamed university town in the Midwest, where Jack Gladney is a professor and the “master of Hitler studies”. He, his wife Babette, and their four children live a comfortable life, though they are troubled by a variety of fears, from falling ill to being taken over by malignant forces. To combat these fears, Jack and Babette invest their energy in material possessions, such as televisions and cars, hoping that they can create a sense of safety and normalcy in the face of uncertain times.
The family’s fears become even more intense when a nearby chemical plant releases a dangerous substance called “white noise” into the air. Suddenly, conversations, news reports and other sounds are tinged with a strange and uncomfortable static. Babette, determined to protect her family, insists that they wear protective masks inside their home. In the midst of this chaos, Jack and Babette search for ways to cope with their anxiety.
Jack’s search for meaning is juxtaposed with the chaos of modern life in the novel. As Jack attempts to understand his own mortality and struggle with his fear of the unknown, he meets a variety of characters that contrast the monotony of modern life with the need for human connection. There is Murray Jay Siskind, a counter-cultural enigma who encourages Jack to explore the world of the irrational, and there is Heinrich, a psychiatrist who uses his expertise to help Jack confront his fears.
The novel culminates in a chaotic reckoning, a moment where the family must confront the unnameable by embracing the sonic presence of the white noise. In a desperate attempt to make sense of the world, Jack discovers what lies beneath the surface of life and comes to a newfound understanding of his place within it.
White Noise is a thoughtful exploration of the disturbances in our lives and how we attempt to remain grounded in a world of chaos. DeLillo’s writing often draws upon his own personal experience, and this novel is no exception. Through his characters, DeLillo reflects on the human need for meaning and connection in a time of intense anxiety. The novel has been praised for its bold imagery and careful attention to detail, and its themes of mortality, uncertainty, and consumer culture remain as relevant today as when it was first published.
