White noise

Definition

White noise refers to a consistent sound that covers a range of frequencies, often described as a hissing or static-like sound. In the context of postmodern literature, white noise symbolizes the overwhelming presence of media saturation and the indistinguishable background noise of modern life, reflecting how individuals navigate through the chaos of contemporary society. This concept often serves as a metaphor for the fragmentation of meaning and the disconnection from traditional narratives.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. White noise serves as a metaphor for the constant bombardment of information and distractions present in contemporary society, especially in postmodern literature.
2. In Don DeLillo's novel 'White Noise', the term encapsulates themes of consumerism, existential anxiety, and the struggle for identity amidst an overwhelming array of stimuli.
3. The use of white noise in literature often highlights characters' disconnection from reality and their attempts to find meaning in a fragmented world.
4. Postmodern works frequently employ white noise to illustrate the superficiality of modern life, where authentic experiences are drowned out by artificial sounds and images.
5. The concept also reflects a broader critique of society's relationship with technology, suggesting that constant connectivity can lead to a loss of genuine communication and understanding.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of white noise reflect the themes present in postmodern literature?
  • White noise encapsulates key themes in postmodern literature by symbolizing the constant flow of information and distraction that characters face. It represents how individuals navigate through a chaotic world filled with media saturation, often leading to disconnection from authentic experiences. This theme manifests in works like Don DeLillo's 'White Noise', where characters grapple with existential anxieties amid overwhelming stimuli.
• Discuss the relationship between white noise and the fragmentation seen in postmodern narratives.
  • White noise is intrinsically linked to fragmentation in postmodern narratives, as both concepts reflect a breakdown of traditional storytelling. The constant barrage of white noise disrupts coherent narratives, mirroring how characters experience disjointed realities. This fragmentation can make it difficult for readers to grasp clear meanings, emphasizing the chaotic nature of modern existence as portrayed in postmodern literature.
• Evaluate how white noise serves as a critique of society’s engagement with technology and media in postmodern literature.
  • White noise critiques society’s engagement with technology and media by illustrating the dangers of constant connectivity and information overload. In postmodern literature, this concept reveals how characters become overwhelmed by superficial interactions and lose touch with genuine communication. The incessant background noise becomes a metaphor for the hollowness of contemporary existence, suggesting that despite being connected, individuals are more isolated than ever, struggling to find authentic meaning in their lives.

Related terms

Media Saturation: The pervasive presence of media in daily life, resulting in constant exposure to information and advertisements that can overwhelm individuals.

Intertextuality:

The relationship between texts and how they reference or echo each other, creating layers of meaning that can be lost in a sea of information.

Fragmentation: The breakdown of cohesive narrative structures in literature, reflecting the complexity and chaos of modern existence.