Post Entry #6 12/10/12

From pages 109 to 163 the most important aspect of White Noise is the black billowing cloud. Only known as Nyodene D., the symptoms of the chemical are contanstly being reworked and changed as to keep up with the present conditions. With a variety of side effects and an unpredictable weather behavior, the cloud is a toxic disaster with unknown capabilities. The choice for the author to include this portion of the book is to symbolize how fear is so easily accessed in the human mind.

One important instance is shown while the family is driving to the evacuation area and Steffie tells everyone “I saw all this before”.  Immediately Jack begins to question the legitimacy of her statement because he was aware déjà vu was no longer an up-to-date symptom of Nyodene D. “But what if she hadn’t heard the radio, didn’t know what déjà vu was? What if she was developing real symptoms by natural means? Maybe the scientists were right in the first place, with their original announcements, before they revised upward” (126). Although Jack is aware that leading scientists have said déjà vu is no longer a symptom of Nyodene D., he begins to become immensely fearful for his daughters health. It is very probably Steffie is faking her experience or even did experience a natural déjà vu, but even her simple statement sends Jack into a state of worry.

Another significant piece of evidence is Jack’s Nyodene D. contamination testing. Quickly being enlightened on the how deadly the toxin is, Jacks fear begins to show through in his conversation with the SIMUVAC employee. “If I was a rat I wouldn’t want to be anywhere within a two hundred mile radius of the airborne event.” “What if you were a human?”…… “I wouldn’t worry about what I can’t see or feel,” …… “But you said we have a situation” (141). Jack is fully aware that the chemical is in his body, but if it will kill him, no one is sure. Even though the employee told him to not worry, Jack had become fearful for what the coming months and years will bring. Later, Jack also states he wants his academic gown and dark glasses, which help communicate how insecure and small he is feeling. The gown and glasses give Jack a sense of power and he feels he needs these to balance out his fear.

The theme of fear and the resultants of it are a common theme within chapter 21 of White Noise. Looking at it with a post-modern lens would lead me to the conclusion that people are constantly overwhelmed with fear and it’s very easy for society demonstrate it. Whether it’s in a natural disaster or frightening experience, a person’s fear is much more readily available. With the constant threat of war, violence, disease and much, a person should have more to be fearful about.