The analysis of the White Noise by Don Delilo - Essay Example

In White Noise, the Don Delilo portrays the issue of unity and togetherness in the family as an epitome of social cohesion in as far as the aspect of nuclear family is concerned. However, Jack is somehow disappointed by the life he is leading though fascinated by the new technological advancement such as the use of automated teller machines which can dispense money from any place. Without money, life is not that enjoyable. This is aptly expressed in Chapter 10 when he states that, “In the morning I walked to the bank.

I went to the automated teller machine to check my balance. I inserted my card, entered my secret code, tapped out my request.” Coincidentally, the figure corresponded with the available funds in his bank account. Indeed, that gave him a sigh of relief because life is unbearable without money. Everything is bought using money and to him the bank had greatly saved his life from the daily ‘upheavals’ which could only be settled through the use of money. To prove his point that money is the most important thing in everyone’s life, Jack ironically even mentions that even the mentally deranged people also like money like any other person.

He states that, “a deranged person was escorted from the bank by two armed guards.” This is proof that money is central to everyone’s life. Even the mad people know that money is life. The author tries to portray the fact that unity as well as social cohesion in the family is created especially if the family gets the opportunity to do something like shopping together. In this case, it can be seen that the father plays the figurehead role at last in the family where he takes them out for shopping.

In chapter 18, Jack says, “Babette and the kids followed me into the elevator, into the shops set along the tiers, through the emporiums and department stores, puzzled but excited b y my desire to buy.” To a certain extent, it can be seen that the family has been waiting to have this opportunity to go out together as a family to do some business. Happiness is bought by money if the unity in the family is to flourish. The family believes that the father is the head of the family and he is supposed to provide for the needs of the family.

Unity in the family is likely to develop if the breadwinner ‘spoils’ the family on certain occasions. On the other hand, it can be seen that money can elevate a person to a higher level which can never happen when one is poor. This is supported by the following statement: “The more money I spent, the less important it seemed. I was bigger than these sums. These sums poured off my skin like so much rain. These sums in fact came back to me in the form of existential credit. I felt expansive.

” under normal circumstances, this cannot easily happen if someone does not have the money which can turn around the fortunes of the world. Even his family was quite impressed by this occasion. In Paris Is Burning, director Jennie Livingston introduces us to various young African-American gays and transgenders, who unite themselves in “Houses” that serve as intentional families. The subculture portrayed in this particular film derives from the white world but the behaviour displayed by some of the characters in the film have made acceptance by their respective families difficult due to their sexual orientations.

Some characters are homosexuals and they want to normalise this kind of behaviour in their lives. However, this kind of behaviour is unacceptable to some of the families who view it as inhumane. The director of the film also dwells on the aspects of race, class, gender and poverty in the “white world” that is commonly characterised by the rich. However, some African Americans as well as Latino Americans have found it difficult to cope with the harsh economic conditions that exist in the “white world” they are living in and some of them resort to things like shoplifting.

Some of the people resort to homosexuality in order to gain money for their survival. Just like in White Noise, it can be seen that Paris is burning is also concerned with addressing the issue of poverty in this world which has become consumerist. However, the rich and affluent people can survive in this world if they have the money while the poor people often find it difficult to make ends meet. (756 words). Works cited Don Dellilo. ‘White Noise’ http://www.scribd.com/doc/272029/DeLillo-Don-White-Noise Accessed December 03, 2012.

Terrence Rafferty. “Paris is Burning.” http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/paris_is_burning_livingston The New Yorker.