Out Of Loss-An Interpretation Of White Noise From The Perspective Of Consumerism

Don DeLillo is one of the most outstanding novelists in contemporary American. At the same time, he is also one of the leaders in postmodern literature. His most works are related to contemporary life that presents social reality in the United States.As soon as his work White Noise is published, it is attracted by numerous attention. The book also won the award “national book award” of American literature. White Noise is praised as a classic of American postmodern literature.Many scholars have been studying White Noise from the perspective of consumerism, but most studies only stay on the interpretation of the phenomenon of consumerism. These studies have not searched for the ways that get out of the loss in consumerism. The thesis uses Baudrillard’s theory of the consumer society and Marxism consumption viewpoints to interpret White Noise. On one hand, the thesis explores the features of consumerism and the loss in consumerism in White Noise. On the other hand, the thesis tries to find the methods that get out of the loss in consumerism in White Noise.The introduction chapter contains the introduction of Don DeLillo and White Noise, and the literature review of White Noise at home and abroad. The second chapter combines Baudrillard’s theory of the consumer society with Marxism consumption viewpoints to discuss the features of consumerism and problems in consumerism. The third chapter mainly discusses the characteristics of people who are addicted to the consumerism society including expansion of commodity, excessive consumption, the guidance of mass media and worship of technology in White Noise. The fourth chapter probes people’s loss in consumerism in White Noise, including the loss in fear of death, loss of identity and faith. The chapter five discusses the method of getting rid of loss in White Noise. DeLillo suggests firstly that people abide by the laws of nature to accept death. Secondly, people strive to become the owner of the commodity. People should not be a slave of commodity. People should buy something according to their real needs. The last suggestion is that people should attach importance to the power of faith and try to regain faith. The last part is the conclusion. At present, consumerism is towards us. The people’s loss in White Noise is worthy of our thinking. The ways that get out of loss also have some significance for our society.