The Figures of Speech and Themes Used in the Book "White Noise"

This is about the book White Noise: Text and Criticism, edited by Mark Osteen. The first chapter starts on page 9 in the document.
The instruction is in the picture.

Instructions:

• Respond to questions below and type your responses in the Reply box in multiple paragraphs.
1. Where do see an example of irony, hyperbole, sarcasm, or humor in the novel? How is this ridiculing some aspect in our society, whether that be the abuse, corruption, or absurd practices (and shortcomings) of persons, institutions, or social structures? See sample analysis on 4.8 Themes and Satire in White Noise.
2. In chapter 9. Murray Siskind. Jack’s colleague, runs into Jack and Babette in the supermarket and says "Here we don't die, we shop” (38). Is DeLillo making an argument about the two being the same or do they have meanings that contrast one another? Explain.
3. In chapter 14. Alfonse responds to Jack that the reason we find catastrophes entertaining is because of "brain fade.” What is brain fade and do we suffer from it today?
4. Form a question about the novel: (see 4.10 Drafting Literary Questions for an explanation on how to formulate questions)

4.8 Themes and Satire in White Noise (READ)Themes

When reading any literary text, it is important to understand the importance of themes, for themes are not only the topic the author is exploring, but what the author is saying about that topic.
Many students immediately recognize the following themes: death, identity and consumerism.
Death, as Theme
Jack asks his wife, "Who will die first?" You probably noticed right away that Jack has a preoccupation with death. This is a real fear that many people have, but do we sit around and think about our own death on a daily basis? For many, probably not. It's a reality that is too grim and horrific to face, so we put it out of our minds and distract ourselves with other things to fill up our time. We call this living, but it can be seen in another way. a distraction from the inevitable death.
And then there is Hitler, who is known for the death of twelve million people. Yet, here is the irony that DeLillo is hoping his readers will see. Hitler is also larger than life, so in a sense, immortal. His character and legacy will never be forgotten. In a way. Jack is using Hitler to propel his own legacy and immortality since his legacy as the Hitler guru will live on. We do this today, working hard toward something to make a name for ourselves. Whether we name our children after ourselves or desire to be the next president of the United States, many are driven to be remembered after we die.
Identity, as Theme
In chapter 3. Murray. Jack's colleague and friend, says to Jack, "You've established a wonderful thing herewith Hitler____Nobody on the faculty of any
college or university in this part of the country can so much utter the word Hitler without a nod in your direction, literally or metaphorically. ... He is now your Hitler, Gladney's Hitler" (DeLillo 11). Jack had done something to make a name for himself, like people who chase fame or titles or status. This is part of making an identity we have explored in our second unit. Professional identity is just one facet of who we are. but plays a major role in how we want society to see us. DeLillo is using sarcasm and humor to ridicule and mock the way we consume identities and falsely project an idealized version of ourselves. Today, we do this when building profiles on social media.

Death, as ThemeJack asks his wife, "Who will die first?" You probably noticed right away that Jack has a preoccupation with death. This is a real fear that many people have, but do we sit around and think about our own death on a daily basis? For many, probably not. It's a reality that is too grim and horrific to face, so we put it out of our minds and distract ourselves with other things to fill up our time. We call this living, but it can be seen in another way. a distraction from the inevitable death.

And then there is Hitler, who is known for the death of twelve million people. Yet. here is the irony that DeLillo is hoping his readers will see. Hitler is also larger than life, so in a sense, immortal. His character and legacy will never be forgotten. In a way. Jack is using Hitler to propel his own legacy and immortality since his legacy as the Hitler guru will live on. We do this today, working hard toward something to make a name for ourselves. Whether we name our children after ourselves or desire to be the next president of the United States, many are driven to be remembered after we die.
Identity, as Theme
In chapter 3. Murray. Jack's colleague and friend, says to Jack, "You've established a wonderful thing herewith Hitler____Nobody on the faculty of any
college or university in this part of the country can so much utter the word Hitler without a nod in your direction, literally or metaphorically. ... He is now your Hitler, Gladney's Hitler" (DeLillo 11). Jack had done something to make a name for himself, like people who chase fame or titles or status. This is part of making an identity we have explored in our second unit. Professional identity is just one facet of who we are. but plays a major role in how we want society to see us. DeLillo is using sarcasm and humor to ridicule and mock the way we consume identities and falsely project an idealized version of ourselves. Today, we do this when building profiles on social media.
Consumerism, as Theme
In chapter 17, Jack runs into a colleague. Eric Massingale, at the mall. Massingale says to Jack. "You look so harmless. Jack. A big. harmless, aging, indistinct sort of guy." Ouch! ForJack. "The encounter put [him] in a mood to shop'' (DeLillo 82). We come to see how Jack is insecure and hides behind his academic robe and sunglasses when he is on campus. He also hides behind the prestige of being a Hitler scholar, so when Massingale exposes Jack and sees him as a regular guy. Jack does what many of us do, turn to retail-therapy to sooth the boredom, inadequacies, or depression. What follows is Jack shopping "for its sake-' (DeLillo 84). This is an example of hyperbole, exaggerating the role of shopping and how it makes us feel like we "grow in value and self-regard" (84) with each purchase.

Types of Questions

Below are types of questions and examples you can ask of the novel:
How the book is written (rhetorical choices of the author):
Why does DeLillo open the novel with a list of consumed items? What does this list suggest about the values and beliefs of Jack Gladney's students?
Interpretation of a passage or idea:
What does Murray Siskind mean when he says. "No one sees the barn" (DeLillo 12)? V/hat's the larger point DeLillo is making in this scene?
Interpretation of the actions of a character:
Why does Babette say; “This isn't the lunch I'd planned for myself... I was seriously thinking of yogurt and wheat germ." (DeLillo 7)?
Passages that ask for agreement or disagreement with an idea:
Jack has made himself a name by "establish[ingj a wonderful thing here with Hitler“ (DeLillo 11). Murray wants to do the same thing with Elvis. Do you agree that Elvis can be on par with Hitler in terms of popularity and fame? Explain.
Passages that ask for a personal reaction:
Murray comes across as a sexual man. What is your personal reaction to his character? Why does DeLillo include his character in this novel? Is he a threat to Jack?
Passages or concept that invites a debate:
Is Jack a fraud or is he clever to use Hitler to professionally move up the ladder in academia?
In the examples above, the questions are rooted in a concept or idea, invite an in-depth discussion, asks for an interpretation of a passage/concept in the novel, avoids yes/no responses, and in some cases, includes follow-up questions. Asking well-constructed and thoughtful questions takes practice, but following the guidelines on this page will helpyou develop questions that can lead to an insightful exploration of the novel.

4.10 Drafting Literary Questions (READ)Don DeLillo's White Noise criticizes popular culture in the 1980s. and which are still relevant today. For our reading activities, we will formulate questions about the novel. Forming questions can help us dig deeper in our understanding of these arguments. Below are ways we can formulate thoughtful, discussion-based questions.

Where to Begin?
• To begin, ask yourself why is this or that happening? This is a part of developing your critical-thinking skills when you are engaging with a text.
• Once you have identified an area that invites a question, you will need to know how to ask it.
How to Ask a Question
Thoughtful and discussion-based questions will do the following:
• be rooted in a concept or passage (i.e. direct quote) from the book
• be constructed in such a way that invites an in-depth discussion
• asks for an interpretation of the author’s intent, or the novel's structure, or the characters’ actions
• avoid answers that illicit "yes” or “no” answers
• may include or need to include a follow up question that will guide the discussion Constructing Questions
Below are examples of how you can construct your questions. Feel free to play around with these forms:
Why does...? What does X say about...?
Do you agree with...? How do you interpret X when...?
What is meant by...? What does X suggest when...?
Xcan represent the author, topic, object in the novel, or character, as in V\/hat does Mun^Y. suggest when hesavs that commercials are "coded messases"?