White Noise by Don DeLillo

Part I: DeLillo presents two major scenes in Chapter 39. Close-read and analyze each of the scenes below. Avoid plot summary. Identify key passages within each scene and explain their significance through close-reading analysis. Identify and explain prominent themes/topics, images, and/or words/phrases. What is DeLillo’s intent with this particular scene? Specifically, what is he satirizing? Develop 2-3 well-formed, effective paragraphs for each scene. The scenes: 1. “I drove twice around the foundry, looking for signs of some erstwhile German presence…the elation he felt when he committed the crime he now sought to make up for” (Chapter 39, pages 290-301). 2. “I rang the bell. In a matter of seconds, someone appeared at the door…There was nothing to do but wait for the next sunset, when the sky would ring like bronze” (Chapter 39, pages 301-305) Part II: Provide a close-reading analysis of each of the following events in the final chapter: 1. Wilder’s tricycle ride across the interstate (pages 307-308). In one to two well-formed paragraphs, explain the meaning and significance of the event with Wilder. What does Wilder’s ride signify? What is DeLillo’s intent in including this event at the end of the chapter? Is DeLillo utilizing satire in depicting this event? Identify where and explain how it works. 2. The collective viewing of the sunsets (pages 308-309). In one to two well-formed paragraphs, explain the meaning and significance of the collective viewing of the sunsets. What are people looking for in the sunsets? What is DeLillo’s intent in including this event at the end of the chapter? Is DeLillo utilizing satire in depicting this event? Identify where and explain how it works. 3. The final visit to the supermarket (pages 309-310). In one to two well-formed paragraphs, explain — to what degree are the novel’s final words ironic? What do Jack’s observations reveal about his attitudes about death or tabloids or supermarkets? What is DeLillo’s intent in including this event at the end of the chapter? Is DeLillo utilizing satire in depicting this event? Identify where and explain how it works.