White noise

Definition

White noise refers to a consistent sound that contains a range of frequencies played together at equal intensity, creating a static-like noise. In the context of literature, particularly postmodern literature, white noise can symbolize the overwhelming saturation of information and media that characterizes contemporary life, often reflecting themes of chaos, fragmentation, and existential disorientation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Don DeLillo's novel 'White Noise', the term serves as a metaphor for the constant stream of media and information that influences characters' perceptions of reality.
2. White noise highlights the disconnection and alienation experienced by individuals in a society filled with distractions and superficial communication.
3. The concept can also represent existential themes where characters grapple with meaninglessness amidst a barrage of competing signals.
4. It exemplifies postmodern techniques such as fragmentation, where traditional narrative structures are abandoned in favor of disjointed experiences.
5. The use of white noise in literature invites readers to consider their own consumption of media and the impact it has on their understanding of reality.

Review Questions

• How does white noise function as a symbol in postmodern literature?
  • White noise functions as a symbol in postmodern literature by representing the overwhelming influx of information and the resulting chaos in contemporary life. It reflects characters' experiences of disconnection and alienation, as they navigate a world saturated with media. This symbol invites readers to engage with themes of existentialism and fragmentation, emphasizing how constant exposure to white noise can distort one's sense of reality.
• Discuss the relationship between white noise and the themes of consumerism and media saturation in postmodern narratives.
  • In postmodern narratives, white noise is closely linked to themes of consumerism and media saturation, illustrating how excessive exposure to advertisements, news, and entertainment influences human behavior. Characters often find themselves lost in this cacophony, struggling to find authentic experiences amid the superficiality. This relationship critiques the commodification of culture and raises questions about individual identity within an environment dominated by constant stimuli.
• Evaluate the impact of white noise on character development and narrative structure within postmodern works.
  • White noise profoundly impacts character development and narrative structure in postmodern works by introducing fragmentation and disorientation into storytelling. Characters often undergo identity crises or existential dilemmas as they grapple with competing messages from their environment. The narrative structure itself may reflect this chaos, employing non-linear timelines or disconnected vignettes that mimic the experience of being overwhelmed by white noise. This technique reinforces the notion that modern life is characterized by uncertainty and complexity.

Related terms

Postmodernism: A literary and artistic movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by a skeptical, self-aware approach that often questions traditional narratives and conventions.

Simulacra: An idea in postmodern theory suggesting that representations or models of reality have replaced or distorted the reality they were meant to depict.

Intertextuality: The relationship between texts and how they reference or influence each other, highlighting the interconnectedness of literature and culture.