THE BY-PRODUCT OF CONSUMERISM :THE FALSE SENSE OF FREEDOM IN DON DELILLOʼs WHITE NOISE

Abstract

ABSTRACT This thesis tries to analyze consumerism impact on Don DeLilloʼs novel White Noise, through the lens of Postmodern Theories, focusing on Jean Baudrillardʼs notion of Consumer Society. The novel depicts different aspects of consumerism and the effect it has on a postmodern family it invades. This study should prove how Baudrillardʼs theories are manifested literally by Don DeLillo as he depicts an imaginary society affected by excessive consumption. In this simulation society characters are no longer the owners of the objects but, are slaves to them. Consumerism has become the myth of satisfaction of charactersʼ need and has entered into their most private thoughts and dreams. This thesis will argue that DeLillo portrayal of consumerism presents the characters with a false sense of freedom. In addition to that this work explores the role of media as a necessary tool of consumerism and how it reshapes peoples understanding and interaction with reality.