Summarizing "White Noise"

Don DeLillo the author of, “White Noise” writes a contemporary American fiction,which

 focuses on the life of Jack Gladney. Jack is a professor of Hitler studies at a liberal arts

 college in Middle America. Gladney and his colleagues which include; New York expatriates,

 immerse themselves in “American magic and dread.” Beside his professional aspect of life,

 Jack shares his life with his fourth wife,Babbette, and their four children from previous marriages.

 Jack and Babbette are bound by their passion and love for one another, also as sharing the 

fear of death. This modern day family goes through a rocky life,with common babbling of 

brand-name consumerism. Later a black toxic cloud floats over their lives, which was caused

 by an industrial accident. “White Noise” is resembled by the menacing cloud swallowing 

the Gladney family. This cloud merges into transmissions, sirens, microwaves, and ultrasound 

appliances holding life, and the danger of death.Tom Leclair, a teacher at the University of

Cincinnati and the author of, “ In the Loop and the Art of Excess,” paints a better perspective

 of, “White Noise.” Leclair describes the title of “White Noise,” as “air travel,” (388).

 He continues by summarizing the story. This tale is based on “a middle-aged father who 

seeks refuge from the largeness of things- the complexities of information and communication

 that surrounds him-- in marriage and children” (388). Leclair explains that consumerism and 

idolize and symbolizes by the supermarket. He continues, by explaining the toxic cloud that 

devours the Gladney family. After jack Gladney is exposed to the toxic cloud, he later goes

 to the town of Iron. Leclair says, “ second half he returns to Iron city in quest of a drug that 

would let him evade his fear of death” (390). This sentences in detail states that Jack is trying

to put off death. The fear is that strong where he would leave Blacksmith only to find a cure

 for his exposure. This deepen American tragedy is expressed heart felt both by Don DeLillo 

and Tom Leclair summarized criticism. 

References: Don DeLillo, author of "White Noise" Page, 389. Tom LeClair author of, " Closing the Loop: White Noise.