Who Sends Jack a Postcard in Chapter 31 of White Noise?
May 17, 2024
For those unfamiliar with brown noise, it's a type of sound in the family of 'colors' of noise, which includes white and pink noise.elving into Don DeLillo's acclaimed novel, White Noise, readers encounter a plethora of intriguing and thought-provoking moments. One such moment occurs in Chapter 31, where the protagonist Jack Gladney receives an unexpected piece of correspondence that piques the curiosity of readers. This isn't just any piece of mail; it's a postcard, and not from a random acquaintance or a family member, but from Murray Jay Siskind. This character is Jack's colleague and confidant, a man who's as enigmatic as he is intelligent.
The arrival of the postcard adds another layer of complexity to the novel's exploration of identity, death, and modern life's pervasive 'white noise.' But why does this matter to those searching for the soothing sounds of brown noise? As fans of the novel's themes of meditation and introspection, it's fitting that admirers of brown noise would be drawn to the quieter, more reflective moments in literature, such as the exchange of postcards that reveal inner thoughts and connections.
For those unfamiliar with brown noise, it's a type of sound in the family of 'colors' of noise, which includes white and pink noise. Revered for its deep, resonant tones, brown noise is often used for relaxation, sleep aid, and as a focus tool, making it the perfect backdrop for diving into a book as rich and complex as White Noise. Who says literature and ambient soundscapes can't go hand in hand?
In short, the postcard in Chapter 31 is a symbolic artifact within the story, intertwining with the broader themes of the novel. It's also a nod to the novel's own title, perhaps a metaphorical 'brown noise' within the storyline—a quiet but significant signal amongst the chaos. As brown noise helps many find their center amidst the din of daily life, so does DeLillo's novel offer a narrative respite from our own ever-present white noise.