A "scripted" interpretation of White Noise?

White Noise has convinced me that that media has shaped parts of my life or at least altered my perception of daily events. In fact, it has been so convincing that I start to question if my interpretation of this book is really my own or if some outside source has shaped my view, an effect not dissimilar to that of media in our lives. If this is the case, then what is this foreign influence? As far as I am concerned, it starts with the discussion questions that were provided before we had even read a page of the book. Those questions provided the structure that was absent without a plot and my concentration, my annotation was centered on these questions as I read. Furthermore, some of the blame (or perhaps credit) lies with Delillo as the main themes of the book were ceaselessly being shoved in my face. While I realize that Delillo probably intended his themes to stand out in such an obvious manner, I am still not convinced that it is necessary.

Suicide in the Future?

After today's lecture about Hitler and how he had control over other's death as well as his own, I can't help but wonder if Jack will mimic Hitler's actions. I highly doubt Jack will begin to kill others, but I cannot cancel out the possibility that Jack might commit suicide. Because he is so consumed with the uncertainty of death it seems natural that he would be drawn to the possibility of having some control over his death. Since receiving the gun from Vernon, he possesses an instrument that could ultimately be used in ending his life. Furthermore, why else would DeLillo include a scene where Jack gets a gun?

Death - helpless or in control?

In both parts I and II, we see Jack's fear of death through his defiance against the presence of plots. In only narrating the minor details of his life, Jack refuses to construct a storyline in his life as he believes that 'all plots tend to move deathward', e.g. he insists that Babette and himself confide in each other the minor details of their lives (p.29-30) - this is just one of the many tactics Jack uses to sidetrack from the main plot of his life story.
However, the more Jack fears death, the more he becomes obsessed with it. His obsession with Hitler (stuff we talked about in lecture today) is a perfect example of this.
My question then is: do you think Jack is leaning towards being a helpless victim or a victor in the face of death?
I think he's slowly beginning to move towards the latter from his guest lecture of Hitler onwards.

Meaning through contrast

As I was reading, I marked a passage on p. 123, in which Steffie asks, "Is this a mild winter or harsh winter?" Denise replies, "Compared to what?" This highlights how we, and DeLillo, create meaning by comparing experiences or events to things we view as the norm. I believe this connects with what Professor Zimmerman was commenting on in relation to how disasters can be mediated and scripted. When reporters use cliches and use overly emotional images/tales of patriotism, etc., they set the standard for what is viewed as the norm, and in turn, set a benchmark for comparison. Steffie and Denise are a minute example of how people cannot have knowledge about a given event or occurrence without something to compare it to. On a larger spectrum, DeLillo does this with the sections of White Noise--first episodes, then the airborne toxic event, and back to episodes again.

Death

What I wonder most about when reading this novel, and what Prof. Zimmerman pays special attention to, is how the topic of death gives meaning. Before the chemical spill Jack often wondered who would die first, him or his wife. It seems that when death is imminent or underlying the book has a plot. For example, when the Nyodene spill occurred suddenly the book had meaning it was no longer a serious of meaningless events. I believe what Dellilo is trying to tell us is that death gives us purpose, with out death we are just a series of random occurrences.

Murray vs. Jack

I guess I can start off...So far, reading the text, it seems that Murray and Jack have many differences between one another...they are experts on two different famous people, Elvis and Hitler, respectively...Murray seems to have rooted interest in minute details of seemingly trivial objects while Jack constantly contemplates death. Are there any similarities (perhaps character traits) between these characters that are stated or implied by DeLillo?

Just a test

Dear class,

This is just a test to see if our discussion section blog is up and running. Looks like it is!