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Post by group3 on Jun 8, 2008 8:53:02 GMT -5
EZ, DAN, DOMINIQUE- POST HERE
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Group 3
Jun 8, 2008 11:37:52 GMT -5
Post by group3 on Jun 8, 2008 11:37:52 GMT -5
Don DeLillo’s novel White Noise describes the commodity-driven, materialistic way of life in 1980s America. The social commentary focuses on people’s need to buy in order to add purpose to their lives and distract them from the perpetual fear of death. Whether buying excessive amounts of healthy food in an attempt to force nutritious eating or instinctively repeating product names such as “Dristan Ultra” and “Toyota Celica,” the characters in the novel exhibit a dependency on material goods. Self-worth and societal judgment rely so heavily upon the amount of money one has and the amount of products one buys that Babette has trouble imagining death among the wealthy (6). Today’s society mirrors DeLillo’s world almost perfectly, maintaining the emphasis on consumption that defines American life. Though DeLillo strongly emphasizes the reliance on material possessions, he does not hyperbolize it; the commentary in the novel could easily be commentary on the real world. The houses we own, the cars we buy, and the salaries we earn largely define who we are, and we have no choice but to “immerse [ourselves] in American magic and dread” (19). Though White Noise was written over 20 years ago, it also applies to today’s world, as it captures the commercialism and consumerism that still lie at the heart of American life.
DeLillo frequently uses the supermarket as a microcosm for the entire world of capitalist consumerism. He describes it as a spiritually rejuvenating place where all the world’s mysteries can be decoded (37). Below all the noise of carts, children, and loudspeakers, there is a “dull and unlocatable roar, as of some form of swarming life just outside the range of human apprehension,” that is only heard through conscious effort, like the often-overlooked side effects of America’s capitalist lifestyle (36). Constantly filled with noise and confusion, the supermarket has more quantity and variety than anyone could possibly need; it is a place where a child sees abundant “items whose shape and radiance excited his system of sensory analysis” (159). Even while the town suffers with damaged houses, cracked park benches, and broken streets, the supermarket remains in excellent condition, providing hope that everything will improve as long as the supermarket does not collapse (162). Such optimism stems from society’s heavy reliance on this hub of consumerism. Like today’s Americans, Babette and Jack experience a “sense of…security and contentment” and a “fullness of being” from the massive amount of goods they buy (20). Sealed off from the rest of the world, the supermarket is full of the waves and radiation that define both DeLillo’s society and our society.
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Group 3
Jun 9, 2008 18:02:26 GMT -5
Post by group3 on Jun 9, 2008 18:02:26 GMT -5
hey guys, this is Dom I didn't change anything in the intro, but I made a few tweeks in the 2nd paragraph, and I added my paragraph make changes as you feel necessary, but I think it was pretty good, so hopefully I'm right + I'll add the conclusion later !!! Don DeLillo’s novel White Noise describes the commodity-driven, materialistic way of life in 1980s America. The social commentary focuses on people’s need to buy in order to add purpose to their lives and distract them from the perpetual fear of death. Whether buying excessive amounts of healthy food in an attempt to force nutritious eating or instinctively repeating product names such as “Dristan Ultra” and “Toyota Celica,” the characters in the novel exhibit a dependency on material goods. Self-worth and societal judgment rely so heavily upon the amount of money one has and the amount of products one buys that Babette has trouble imagining death among the wealthy (6). Today’s society mirrors DeLillo’s world almost perfectly, maintaining the emphasis on consumption that defines American life. Though DeLillo strongly emphasizes the reliance on material possessions, he does not hyperbolize it; the commentary in the novel could easily be commentary on the real world. The houses we own, the cars we buy, and the salaries we earn largely define who we are, and we have no choice but to “immerse [ourselves] in American magic and dread” (19). Though White Noise was written over 20 years ago, it also applies to today’s world, as it captures the commercialism and consumerism that still lie at the heart of American life. DeLillo frequently uses the supermarket as a microcosm for the entire world of capitalist consumerism. In the novel, the supermarket is depicted as a spiritually rejuvenating place where all the world’s mysteries can be decoded (37). Below all the noise of carts, children, and loudspeakers, there is a “dull and unlocatable roar, as of some form of swarming life just outside the range of human apprehension,” that is only heard through conscious effort, just as the often-overlooked side effects of America’s capitalist lifestyle (36). Constantly filled with noise and confusion, the supermarket has more quantity and variety than anyone could possibly need; it is a place where man becomes unconsciously captivated by “items whose shape and radiance excite his system of sensory analysis” (159). Even while the town suffers with damaged houses, cracked park benches, and broken streets, the supermarket remains in excellent condition, providing hope that everything will correct itself as long as the supermarket does not collapse (162). Such optimism stems from society’s heavy reliance on this haven of consumerism. Just as today’s Americans, Babette and Jack experience a “sense of…security and contentment” and a “fullness of being” from being involved in the complex system of consumerism within society (20). This dependence within society on the supermarket is inevitably due to its inner workings, the waves and radiation that underlie DeLillo’s society, as well as our own. The perpetuation of consumerism within present day society is primarily centralized within the intricate network of American malls, as is exhibited in the novel. The mall in the novel serves as a physical representation of endless possibility—an almost magical entity that can satisfy all the needs and wants of man. This immense role of the mall within society creates an environment in which it is so comfortingly simple to buy and consume that it is almost impossible for one to resist this influence. Jack, feeling that his self-image has been threatened by the comments of his student, is impacted by this influence, and he is consequently compelled to rebuild his carefully crafted self-conception by buying into the mall as it enhances a sense of personal validation. As one can “[shop] with reckless abandon… [shop] for immediate needs and distant contingencies.. [even shop] for its own sake,” the mall becomes a place of empowerment for Jack, like all consumers, as they are able to materialistically improve their own self-worth almost instantaneously (83). Yet underlying this sense of comfort and validation that the mall offers are the sounds of “shuffling feet and chiming bells, the hum of escalators, the sound of people eating, the human buzz of some vivid and happy transaction” that leads us to believe that we are being comforted by materials, when in reality we merely filling the voids within ourselves temporarily, only to buy more when these voids inevitably reappear (84). As this vicious cycle of malls and consumerism portrayed in the novel has ultimately persevered into modern America, the novel, in turn, maintains its relevance in our present day society.
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Group 3
Jun 9, 2008 20:04:52 GMT -5
Post by group3 on Jun 9, 2008 20:04:52 GMT -5
The media has a startling affect on the characters in White Noise, using its powerful to instigate consumerism in society. Not only is it virtually omnipresent, it has the power to cause trends. To Babette, an idea on the radio quickly becomes “the new thing” (34). Jack fears its strength so much that he worries if his daughter could “suffer a miscarriage due to the power of suggestion” (123). And the results of advertisements are frequently present—even in her sleep, Steffie can only mutter “the name of an automobile” that she heard in a commercial. In essence, media has merged with capitalism. Shocking disaster news that do not give lucrative profits is cut down to “three lines in the newspaper,” if at all (66). Even the presence of magazines in the supermarket sponsors consumerism; it is a lure for customers into a consumer society.
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Group 3
Jun 9, 2008 20:07:58 GMT -5
Post by group3 on Jun 9, 2008 20:07:58 GMT -5
Don DeLillo’s novel White Noise describes the commodity-driven, materialistic way of life in 1980s America. The social commentary focuses on people’s need to buy in order to add purpose to their lives and distract them from the perpetual fear of death. Whether buying excessive amounts of healthy food in an attempt to force nutritious eating or instinctively repeating product names such as “Dristan Ultra” and “Toyota Celica,” the characters in the novel exhibit a dependency on material goods. Self-worth and societal judgment rely so heavily upon the amount of money one has and the amount of products one buys that Babette has trouble imagining death among the wealthy (6). Today’s society mirrors DeLillo’s world almost perfectly, maintaining the emphasis on consumption that defines American life. Though DeLillo strongly emphasizes the reliance on material possessions, he does not hyperbolize it; the commentary in the novel could easily be commentary on the real world. The houses we own, the cars we buy, and the salaries we earn largely define who we are, and we have no choice but to “immerse [ourselves] in American magic and dread” (19). Though White Noise was written over 20 years ago, it also applies to today’s world, as it captures the commercialism and consumerism that still lie at the heart of American life.
DeLillo frequently uses the supermarket as a microcosm for the entire world of capitalist consumerism. In the novel, the supermarket is depicted as a spiritually rejuvenating place where all the world’s mysteries can be decoded (37). Below all the noise of carts, children, and loudspeakers, there is a “dull and unlocatable roar, as of some form of swarming life just outside the range of human apprehension,” that is only heard through conscious effort, just as the often-overlooked side effects of America’s capitalist lifestyle (36). Constantly filled with noise and confusion, the supermarket has more quantity and variety than anyone could possibly need; it is a place where man becomes unconsciously captivated by “items whose shape and radiance excite his system of sensory analysis” (159). Even while the town suffers with damaged houses, cracked park benches, and broken streets, the supermarket remains in excellent condition, providing hope that everything will correct itself as long as the supermarket does not collapse (162). Such optimism stems from society’s heavy reliance on this haven of consumerism. Just as today’s Americans, Babette and Jack experience a “sense of…security and contentment” and a “fullness of being” from being involved in the complex system of consumerism within society (20). This dependence within society on the supermarket is inevitably due to its inner workings, the waves and radiation that underlie DeLillo’s society, as well as our own.
The media has a startling affect on the characters in White Noise, using its powerful influence to instigate consumerism in society. Not only is it virtually omnipresent, it has the power to cause trends. To Babette, an idea on the radio quickly becomes “the new thing” (34). Jack fears its strength so much that he worries if his daughter could “suffer a miscarriage due to the power of suggestion” (123). And the results of advertisements are frequently present—even in her sleep, Steffie can only mutter the name of an automobile that she heard in a commercial. In essence, media has merged with capitalism. Shocking disaster news that do not give lucrative profits is cut down to “three lines in the newspaper,” if at all (66). Even the presence of magazines in the supermarket sponsors consumerism; it is a lure for customers into a consumer society.
The perpetuation of consumerism within present day society is also centralized within the intricate network of American malls, as is exhibited in the novel. The mall in the novel serves as a physical representation of endless possibility—an almost magical entity that can satisfy all the needs and wants of man. The mall's immense role within society creates an environment in which it is so comfortable and simple to buy and consume that it is almost impossible for one to resist this influence. Jack, feeling that his self-image has been threatened by the comments of his student, is impacted by this influence, and he is consequently compelled to rebuild his carefully crafted self-conception by buying into the mall as it enhances a sense of personal validation. As one can “[shop] with reckless abandon… [shop] for immediate needs and distant contingencies.. [even shop] for its own sake,” the mall becomes a place of empowerment for Jack, like all consumers, as they are able to materialistically improve their own self-worth almost instantaneously (83). Yet underlying this sense of comfort and validation that the mall offers are the sounds of “shuffling feet and chiming bells, the hum of escalators, the sound of people eating, the human buzz of some vivid and happy transaction” that leads us to believe that we are being comforted by materials, when in reality we merely filling the voids within ourselves temporarily, only to buy more when these voids inevitably reappear (84). As this vicious cycle of malls and consumerism portrayed in the novel has ultimately persevered into modern America, the novel, in turn, maintains its relevance in our present day society.
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Group 3
Jun 10, 2008 22:00:10 GMT -5
Post by group3 on Jun 10, 2008 22:00:10 GMT -5
I made the third paragraph a bit longer.
Don DeLillo’s novel White Noise describes the commodity-driven, materialistic way of life in 1980s America. The social commentary focuses on people’s need to buy in order to add purpose to their lives and distract them from the perpetual fear of death. Whether buying excessive amounts of healthy food in an attempt to force nutritious eating or instinctively repeating product names such as “Dristan Ultra” and “Toyota Celica,” the characters in the novel exhibit an extreme dependency on material goods. Self-worth and societal judgment rely so heavily upon the amount of money one has and the amount of products one buys that Babette has trouble imagining death among the wealthy (6). Today’s society mirrors DeLillo’s world almost perfectly, maintaining the emphasis on consumption that defines American life. Though DeLillo strongly emphasizes the reliance on material possessions, he does not hyperbolize it; the commentary in the novel could easily be commentary on the real world. The houses we own, the cars we buy, and the salaries we earn largely define who we are, and we have no choice but to “immerse [ourselves] in American magic and dread” (19). Though White Noise was written about America 20 years ago, it also applies to today’s world, as it captures the commercialism and consumerism that still lie at the heart of American life.
DeLillo frequently uses the supermarket as a microcosm for the entire world of capitalist consumerism. In the novel, the supermarket is depicted as a spiritually rejuvenating place where all the world’s mysteries can be decoded (37). Below all the noise of carts, children, and loudspeakers, there is a “dull and unlocatable roar, as of some form of swarming life just outside the range of human apprehension,” that is only heard through conscious effort, just like the often-overlooked side effects of America’s capitalist lifestyle (36). Constantly filled with noise and confusion, the supermarket has more quantity and variety than anyone could possibly need; it is a place where man becomes unconsciously captivated by “items whose shape and radiance excite his system of sensory analysis” (159). Even while the town suffers with damaged houses, cracked park benches, and broken streets, the supermarket remains in excellent condition, providing hope that everything will correct itself as long as the supermarket does not collapse (162). Such optimism stems from society’s heavy reliance on this haven of consumerism. Just like today’s Americans, Babette and Jack experience a “sense of…security and contentment” and a “fullness of being” from being involved in the complex system of consumerism within society (20). Society’s dependence on the supermarket is inevitably due to its inner workings, the waves and radiation that underlie both DeLillo’s society and our own.
The media has a startling effect on the characters in White Noise, using its powerful influence to instigate consumerism in society. Because it is virtually omnipresent, it has the power to cause trends and change the way people think. To Babette, an idea on the radio quickly becomes “the new thing” (34). Jack fears the media’s strength so much that he worries that his daughter could “suffer a miscarriage due to the power of suggestion” (123). The effects that advertisements have on the characters are so overwhelming that, while sleeping, Steffie subconsciously mutters the name of an automobile that she heard in a commercial. Essentially, the media has merged with capitalism to the point that news is solely given with the intent of making money. In addition to filling our minds with “the bright packaging, the slice-of-life commercials, the products hurtling out of darkness,” the media only pays attention to the stories from which it will profit (51). Shocking disasters that do not give lucrative profits are only given “three lines in the newspaper,” if anything (66). Even the presence of magazines in the supermarket sponsors consumerism; it is a lure for customers into a consumer society. Because the media focuses on the events that they believe will profit them the most, the public does not always get an accurate representation of society from watching television. Because of the media’s concentration on “the tales of the supernatural and the extraterrestrial… the miracle vitamins, the cures for cancer, the remedies for obesity, [and] the cults of the famous and the dead,” normal people consider themselves useless if their lives do not meet these incredible standards (310). The residents of Blacksmith are angry that the media does not cover the Airborne Toxic Event, because they base their own value in society on the attention paid by the media. They feel that “attention for our suffering, our human worry, our terror” is necessary for their own importance, demonstrating society’s significant dependence on the media (155). The media has gone from an informative source to a commercial machine that distorts our views of the world and of ourselves.
The perpetuation of consumerism within present day society is also centralized within the intricate network of American malls, as is exhibited in the novel. The mall in the novel serves as a physical representation of endless possibility—an almost magical entity that can satisfy all the needs and wants of man. The mall's immense role within society creates an environment in which it is so comfortable and simple to buy and consume that it is almost impossible for one to resist this influence. Jack, feeling that his self-image has been threatened by the comments of his student, is impacted by this influence, and he is consequently compelled to rebuild his carefully crafted self-conception by buying into the mall as it enhances a sense of personal validation. As one can “[shop] with reckless abandon… [shop] for immediate needs and distant contingencies.. [even shop] for its own sake,” the mall becomes a place of empowerment for Jack, like all consumers, as they are able to materialistically improve their own self-worth almost instantaneously (83). Yet underlying this sense of comfort and validation that the mall offers are the sounds of “shuffling feet and chiming bells, the hum of escalators, the sound of people eating, the human buzz of some vivid and happy transaction” that leads us to believe that we are being comforted by materials, when in reality we merely filling the voids within ourselves temporarily, only to buy more when these voids inevitably reappear (84). As this vicious cycle of malls and consumerism portrayed in the novel has ultimately persevered into modern America, the novel, in turn, maintains its relevance in our present day society.
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Group 3
Jun 11, 2008 8:56:56 GMT -5
Post by group3 on Jun 11, 2008 8:56:56 GMT -5
this is the conclusion, and I don't know if the focus on postmodernism is significant enough... so I think I''ll ask him if it is sufficient
As the central themes found in DeLillo’s novel reflect the issues of present day America, the novel maintains its relevance in modern society. Despite the fact that the time period and the social environment in which consumerism is present may change, the obsessive compulsion to buy will invariably remain as a cornerstone in our constantly progressing society. However, as consumerism continues to dominate America, it has deconstructed the complex quality of humanity, and consequently exposed the fragmentation and disillusionment within society that underlies man’s blind and relentless pursuit of wealth. This inevitable break down of all of humanity is embodied within the ideal of postmodernism, as it asserts that there is ultimately nothing connecting man together. Moreover, as it sets forth that objects, knowledge, and even reality are subject to interpretation, only relative truths exist for each individual. This concept, in turn, portrays man as hopelessly detached from everyone and everything as there are no universal truths that serve to unite man on any level. Consumerism in this respect becomes nothing more than a medium through which society tries to market their own perception of the world to the public, and consumers simply fuel this cycle by buying into these perceptions. This successful system has captivated America, and just as it maintains a prevalent influence in the novel, it unfortunately has consumed our present world, and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future.
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Group 3
Jun 11, 2008 13:01:13 GMT -5
Post by group3 on Jun 11, 2008 13:01:13 GMT -5
hey guys i made a few more changes to the third paragraph, nothing big
The media has a startling effect on the characters in White Noise, as its powerful influence actively propagates consumerism within society. As it is virtually omnipresent, the media has the power to cause trends and change the way people think. To Babette, an idea on the radio quickly becomes “the new thing” (34). Jack fears the media’s strength so much that he worries that his daughter could “suffer a miscarriage due to the power of suggestion” (123). The effects that advertisements have on the characters are so overwhelming that, while sleeping, Steffie subconsciously mutters the name of an automobile that she heard in a commercial. Essentially, the media has been influenced by capitalism so much that news is now solely given with the intent of making money. In that it fills our minds with “the bright packaging, the slice-of-life commercials, the products hurtling out of darkness,” the media pays attention only to the stories from which it will profit (51). Shocking disasters that do not give lucrative profits are only given “three lines in the newspaper,” if anything (66). Even the presence of magazines in the supermarket sponsors consumerism; it is a lure for customers into a consumer society. Due to the fact that the media focuses on the events that they believe will profit them the most, the public does not always get an accurate representation of society from watching television. The media’s concentration on “the tales of the supernatural and the extraterrestrial… the miracle vitamins, the cures for cancer, the remedies for obesity, [and] the cults of the famous and the dead,” makes the public consider themselves inadequate if their lives do not meet these incredible standards, and they consequently buy quickly to regain a sense of validation from the rest of society (310). The residents of Blacksmith are angry that the media does not cover the Airborne Toxic Event, because they base their own value in society on the attention paid by the media. They feel that “attention for our suffering, our human worry, our terror” is necessary for their own importance, demonstrating society’s significant dependence on the media (155). As a result, the media has transformed from an informative source to a commercial machine that distorts our views of the world and of ourselves.
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Group 3
Jun 11, 2008 13:05:34 GMT -5
Post by group3 on Jun 11, 2008 13:05:34 GMT -5
i placed the last copiesof everything together,so this is the latest full copy
Don DeLillo’s novel White Noise describes the commodity-driven, materialistic way of life in 1980s America. The social commentary focuses on people’s need to buy in order to add purpose to their lives and distract them from the perpetual fear of death. Whether buying excessive amounts of healthy food in an attempt to force nutritious eating or instinctively repeating product names such as “Dristan Ultra” and “Toyota Celica,” the characters in the novel exhibit an extreme dependency on material goods. Self-worth and societal judgment rely so heavily upon the amount of money one has and the amount of products one buys that Babette has trouble imagining death among the wealthy (6). Today’s society mirrors DeLillo’s world almost perfectly, maintaining the emphasis on consumption that defines American life. Though DeLillo strongly emphasizes the reliance on material possessions, he does not hyperbolize it; the commentary in the novel could easily be commentary on the real world. The houses we own, the cars we buy, and the salaries we earn largely define who we are, and we have no choice but to “immerse [ourselves] in American magic and dread” (19). Though White Noise was written about America 20 years ago, it also applies to today’s world, as it captures the commercialism and consumerism that still lie at the heart of American life.
DeLillo frequently uses the supermarket as a microcosm for the entire world of capitalist consumerism. In the novel, the supermarket is depicted as a spiritually rejuvenating place where all the world’s mysteries can be decoded (37). Below all the noise of carts, children, and loudspeakers, there is a “dull and unlocatable roar, as of some form of swarming life just outside the range of human apprehension,” that is only heard through conscious effort, just like the often-overlooked side effects of America’s capitalist lifestyle (36). Constantly filled with noise and confusion, the supermarket has more quantity and variety than anyone could possibly need; it is a place where man becomes unconsciously captivated by “items whose shape and radiance excite his system of sensory analysis” (159). Even while the town suffers with damaged houses, cracked park benches, and broken streets, the supermarket remains in excellent condition, providing hope that everything will correct itself as long as the supermarket does not collapse (162). Such optimism stems from society’s heavy reliance on this haven of consumerism. Just like today’s Americans, Babette and Jack experience a “sense of…security and contentment” and a “fullness of being” from being involved in the complex system of consumerism within society (20). Society’s dependence on the supermarket is inevitably due to its inner workings, the waves and radiation that underlie both DeLillo’s society and our own.
The media has a startling effect on the characters in White Noise, as its powerful influence actively propagates consumerism within society. As it is virtually omnipresent, the media has the power to cause trends and change the way people think. To Babette, an idea on the radio quickly becomes “the new thing” (34). Jack fears the media’s strength so much that he worries that his daughter could “suffer a miscarriage due to the power of suggestion” (123). The effects that advertisements have on the characters are so overwhelming that, while sleeping, Steffie subconsciously mutters the name of an automobile that she heard in a commercial. Essentially, the media has been influenced by capitalism so much that news is now solely given with the intent of making money. In that it fills our minds with “the bright packaging, the slice-of-life commercials, the products hurtling out of darkness,” the media pays attention only to the stories from which it will profit (51). Shocking disasters that do not give lucrative profits are only given “three lines in the newspaper,” if anything (66). Even the presence of magazines in the supermarket sponsors consumerism; it is a lure for customers into a consumer society. Due to the fact that the media focuses on the events that they believe will profit them the most, the public does not always get an accurate representation of society from watching television. The media’s concentration on “the tales of the supernatural and the extraterrestrial… the miracle vitamins, the cures for cancer, the remedies for obesity, [and] the cults of the famous and the dead,” makes the public consider themselves inadequate if their lives do not meet these incredible standards, and they consequently buy quickly to regain a sense of validation from the rest of society (310). The residents of Blacksmith are angry that the media does not cover the Airborne Toxic Event, because they base their own value in society on the attention paid by the media. They feel that “attention for our suffering, our human worry, our terror” is necessary for their own importance, demonstrating society’s significant dependence on the media (155). As a result, the media has transformed from an informative source to a commercial machine that distorts our views of the world and of ourselves.
The perpetuation of consumerism within present day society is also centralized within the intricate network of American malls, as is exhibited in the novel. The mall in the novel serves as a physical representation of endless possibility—an almost magical entity that can satisfy all the needs and wants of man. The mall's immense role within society creates an environment in which it is so comfortable and simple to buy and consume that it is almost impossible for one to resist this influence. Jack, feeling that his self-image has been threatened by the comments of his student, is impacted by this influence, and he is consequently compelled to rebuild his carefully crafted self-conception by buying into the mall as it enhances a sense of personal validation. As one can “[shop] with reckless abandon… [shop] for immediate needs and distant contingencies.. [even shop] for its own sake,” the mall becomes a place of empowerment for Jack, like all consumers, as they are able to materialistically improve their own self-worth almost instantaneously (83). Yet underlying this sense of comfort and validation that the mall offers are the sounds of “shuffling feet and chiming bells, the hum of escalators, the sound of people eating, the human buzz of some vivid and happy transaction” that leads us to believe that we are being comforted by materials, when in reality we merely filling the voids within ourselves temporarily, only to buy more when these voids inevitably reappear (84). As this vicious cycle of malls and consumerism portrayed in the novel has ultimately persevered into modern America, the novel, in turn, maintains its relevance in our present day society.
As the central themes found in DeLillo’s novel reflect the issues of present day America, the novel maintains its relevance in modern society. Despite the fact that the time period and the social environment in which consumerism is present may change, the obsessive compulsion to buy will invariably remain as a cornerstone in our constantly progressing society. However, as consumerism continues to dominate America, it has deconstructed the complex quality of humanity, and consequently exposed the fragmentation and disillusionment within society that underlies man’s blind and relentless pursuit of wealth. This inevitable break down of all of humanity is embodied within the ideal of postmodernism, as it asserts that there is ultimately nothing connecting man together. Moreover, as it sets forth that objects, knowledge, and even reality are subject to interpretation, only relative truths exist for each individual. This concept, in turn, portrays man as hopelessly detached from everyone and everything as there are no universal truths that serve to unite man on any level. Consumerism in this respect becomes nothing more than a medium through which society tries to market their own perception of the world to the public, and consumers simply fuel this cycle by buying into these perceptions. This successful system has captivated America, and just as it maintains a prevalent influence in the novel, it unfortunately has consumed our present world, and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future.
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