METABODY AS PERFORMANCE IN DON DELILLO’S THE BODY ARTIST, 2001

Abstract

The article delves into Don DeLillo’s novel “The Body Artist” (2001), presenting it as a pioneering work that introduces a novel perspective on the concept of the body in literature. Central to the analysis is the notion of the meta-body, characterized by its dynamic and flexible nature. The study posits that the portrayal of the body undergoes a transformation, evolving from a static entity in the reader’s consciousness to a dynamic force responsive to shifts in perception and newly acquired information. The meta-body is portrayed as a fresh phenomenon, its understanding facilitated through the rejection of biases and the evaluation of the likelihood of sensations in specific contexts.A pivotal aspect of the exploration is the meta-body’s emancipation from traditional stereotypes and assumptions. It is underscored that the meta-body increasingly relies on the reader’s capacity to assess the probability of sensations in diverse circumstances, challenging preconceived notions and enriching the literary portrayal of the body as an adaptive entity within contemporary discourse.The article further scrutinizes the concept of the meta-body from various analytical perspectives within the novel. Firstly, it examines the meta-body through the collapse of distance, elucidating how spatiotemporal experiences are altered. The second perspective investigates the meta-body through the lens of material artifacts, encompassing mechanical devices such as dictaphones, radios, and webcams. Additionally, the communication-dialogical nature of family relationships is explored, emphasizing the interplay between silence and sound, verbalized and unspoken dialogues among members of a marital couple.Noteworthy is the analysis of the meta-body through the perspective of bodily performance.In summary, the article positions “The Body Artist” as a literary milestone that introduces the concept of the meta-body, portraying the body as a dynamic and adaptive entity. It goes beyond conventional literary portrayals, encouraging readers to reassess their preconceptions and engage with the body in diverse contexts, offering a nuanced understanding of its multifaceted nature within contemporary literature.