Wednesday, March 17, 2004
In continuing our studies with White Noise, currently we are discussing the second section of the book that focuses on "the Airborne Toxic Event." On page 150, DeLillo states, "This is the nature of modern death. It has a life independent of us. It is growing in prestige and dimension. It has a sweep it never had before. We study it objectively. We can predict its appearance, trace its path in the body. We can take cross-section pictures of it, so familiar with its habits and attitudes. We know it intimately. But it continues to grow, to acquire breadth and scope, new outlets, new passages and means. The more we learn, the more it grows."
This description of death from Murray (a friend of Jack's) is quite an odd, yet somewhat obvious portrayal of the subject. Murray describes death as if it is a living, breathing, beast that thrives on humans. This is a unique interpretation of death; it is merely a lack of living. Yet Murray proceeds to explain that death lives independent of humans, as if death really exists in the form of a Grim Reaper. I viewed this as an incredibly artistic and New Age opinion of the subject, which explains Murray perfectly. It is not often that someone boldly addresses death at all, and more specifically in such a manner. This view interested me, particularly because I am so science-oriented. I had never thought of death as something that attacked people, sort of a species of killers. I always assumed it was an event, and had never given it any thought as a being. Murray sort of opened my eyes as to the different ways that the world can be viewed, and more specifically death in this time of importance. It really gave me a new outlook on the topic, and I was greatly intrigued by this passage for that reason.
This description of death from Murray (a friend of Jack's) is quite an odd, yet somewhat obvious portrayal of the subject. Murray describes death as if it is a living, breathing, beast that thrives on humans. This is a unique interpretation of death; it is merely a lack of living. Yet Murray proceeds to explain that death lives independent of humans, as if death really exists in the form of a Grim Reaper. I viewed this as an incredibly artistic and New Age opinion of the subject, which explains Murray perfectly. It is not often that someone boldly addresses death at all, and more specifically in such a manner. This view interested me, particularly because I am so science-oriented. I had never thought of death as something that attacked people, sort of a species of killers. I always assumed it was an event, and had never given it any thought as a being. Murray sort of opened my eyes as to the different ways that the world can be viewed, and more specifically death in this time of importance. It really gave me a new outlook on the topic, and I was greatly intrigued by this passage for that reason.
