Parodies of the Past, Fears of the Future: The Failure and Triumph of Storyline in Don Delillo’s Trauma Narratives

Alaa Alghamdi

doi:10.7575/aiac.alls.v.10n.6p.25

Abstract

Though Don Delillo’s writing spans the period before and after September 11, 2001, consistent themes emerge. Such themes unite an early novel, White Noise, and The Falling Man, one of the definitive American novels about the events and aftermath of 9-11. In each, the characters experience a loss of connection with other people and with the real settings and circumstances of their lives. This leads to a breakdown of journey and storyline, where past and present merge and resolution cannot be reached. The fact that this mentality exists in both narratives, written before and after 9-11, suggests that the tragic events of that day did not create the mental devastation that followed, but that it was pre-existing. In an effort to characterise that state, comparisons are drawn to literary antecedents including Tennyson’s poem “The Lady of Shalott” and the story of the Fall of Man (suggested by the title of Delillo’s novel). In addition, concepts from psychology and philosophy are utilized, including but not limited to psychological and philosophical concepts of repetition, modern ‘simulation theory’ and Gilles Delueze’s observations regarding non-linear time. This paper concludes that the lack of connection with the human, physical and historical worlds brings about an alienation that causes one to predict and even pre-experience trauma, and this ‘pre-traumatic’ state, in turn, prevents connection and perpetuates the very loss that one dreads.

Highlights

Don Delillo’s publication in 2007 of one of the definitive American novels expressing the experience of 9/11 had been expected and anticipated, according to Toby Litt of The Guardian
Long before The Falling Man and the events that inspired it, Delillo was known for his apt expression of the American psyche in a time of crisis
Delillo “came closest to prefiguring, if not predicting, the attacks on Washington and New York... so even as news of those attacks was received, Delillo’s was the name that came to mind (Litt)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Don Delillo’s publication in 2007 of one of the definitive American novels expressing the experience of 9/11 had been expected and anticipated, according to Toby Litt of The Guardian. It is evident that his schema (his view of the world and way of making sense of it) is congruent with the layers of artificiality obscuring everything about his surroundings, from his father’s invention of Hitler Studies to his mother’s role in a renamed and culturally displaced ashram, to his own first name, given his lack of German heritage It is clear in these scenes between Jack and Heinrich that there is something very real and authentic, albeit fearful, in their connection. The slightly simulated reality occupied by Jack, Babette and their children isolates and appears to protect them from the precarious world around them - but at great cost They are likewise insulated from the only thing that could end their vague and constant alienation - true and deep connection with one another. Wilder makes it across the road and into his own uncertain future, and in doing so, perhaps he brings back to his family a sense of relief, genuine connection, and most importantly, hope

CONCLUSION

Part I

Part III

Part IV