A critique of consumerism in the postmodern age in Don Delillo's novels

Abstract

To study various aspects of consumerism in the postmodern age which are presented in Don DeLillo’s three novels: Americana (1971), White Noise (1986), and Underworld (1997). Employing postmodern theories, it will examine the whole process of consumerism, focusing on the role of the media, the influence of consumerism on consumers and the threat of consumerism to humans and the environment. This thesis will argue that Don DeLillo criticizes consumerism in the postmodern age by demonstrating that through the media consumers are constantly stimulated to revel in the consumption of innumerable products with desirable images but are actually afflicted by the feelings of emptiness and uncertainty. He also points out that the products we consume will finally become garbage that can harm humans and the environment. This thesis will analyze ways in which consumerism uses the media in the form of films and advertisements to influence people in Americana, discuss the effects of consumerism on people and the environment in White Noise and examine the theme of waste as an inevitable product of consumerism in Underworld.