(A toxic text) The Cohesion between consum and death in DeLillo`s "White Noise"

In Don DeLillo`s „White Noise“ the supermarket becomes an important location for the characters of the novel. Murray and Jack meet at the supermarket as often as on campus. One time Jack says that he likes to be at the supermarket because it does not change except for the better. Furthermore it is well stocked with good and it is melodic and brightly. For Jack it is a place of peace.

When Murray and Jack ones meets at the supermarket, Murray tells Jack that he looks old and fragile without his robe and the sunglasses he normally wears on campus. After that Jack falls into a shopping fever whereby he wants to avoid to age prematurely and may become insignificant. This displays that shopping creates a feeling of peace and safety for Jack Gladney.

But DeLillo also often draws a line between consum and necrophobia. On the way to the Boy Scout Camp for example, Jack associates the toxic cloud with a commercial for death. And for the old Mr. Treadwell and his sister shopping becomes a traumtaic experience when they strayed in the giant shopping mall for four days so that the old woman even dies as a result of this occurance. In this case the shoppingcenter and consum are linked with confusion and death.