, is an example of postmodern literature
. Widely considered his "breakout" work, the book won the National Book Award
in 1985 and brought him to the attention of a much larger audience. Time
included the novel in its TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005. DeLillo originally wanted to call the book Panasonic, but the Panasonic Corporation objected.
Set at a rural Midwestern college known only as The-College-on-the-Hill, White Noise follows a year in the life of Jack Gladney, a professor
who has made his name by pioneering the field of Hitler
Studies (though he doesn't speak German
).
“Californians invented the concept of lifestyle. This alone warrants their doom.” – Alfonse
“You’re a man, Jack. We all know about men and their insane rage. This is something men are very good at. Insane and violent jealousy. Homicidal rage. When people are good at something, it’s only natural that they look for a chance to do this thing. If I were good at it, I would do it. It happens I’m not. So instead of going into homicidal rages, I read to the blind. In other words I know my limits. I am willing to settle for less.” – Babette.
“Don’t you know about all those theorems that say nothing is what it seems? There’s no past, present, or future outside our own mind. The so-called laws of motion are a big hoax.” – Heinrich
“What good is my truth? My truth means nothing.” – Heinrich
“Brilliant people never think of the lives they smash, being brilliant.” – Jack
“I am the false character that follows the name around.” – Jack
I feel sad for people and the queer part we play in our own disasters – Jack
“Society is set up in such a way that it’s the poor and the uneducated who suffer the main impact of natural and man-made disasters.” – Jack
“Terrifying data is now an industry in itself. Different firms compete to see how badly they can scare us.” – Jack