The Absurd in Don DeLillo’s The Silence (2020): A Camusian Study
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Date
2021
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Université Mouloud Mammeri Tizi Ouzou
Abstract
This dissertation explores the depiction of the philosophy of the Absurd in Don
DeLillo’s fictional book The Silence (2020). It essentially aims at portraying how the
contemporary world is prevailed by absurdity. This study also seeks to show how the
characters in this novel struggle to give meaning to their existence. The first chapter is
devoted to demonstrate the contribution of different postmodern conditions in The
Silence in reinforcing the presence of the Absurd in the contemporary period. This
chapter makes use of Jean Baudrillard’s book The Consumer Society to examine how
consumerism acts like a way out from the Absurd. It then, uses Baudrillard’s Simulacra
and Simulation, in displaying how digital addictions sponsor the feeling of absurdity.
This chapter hence, shows how the aforementioned alternatives to the Absurd namely,
consumerism and media fail at giving meaning to life. The second chapter explores
traits of the Absurd in the novel, relying vigorously on Albert Camus’ The Myth of
Sisyphus in analyzing the characters, the images, and the themes that convey
absurdism. This chapter also investigates Camus’ suggestions to face the Absurd and
how all these solutions are employed by the characters. This study hence, seeks to prove
that the more individuals are technologically advanced, the less their life makes sense.
The Silence thus, reflects an absurdist portrayal of today’s world, with the failure of all
alternatives to face this absurdity.
Description
30cm ; 66p.
Keywords
Don DeLillo, The Silence, Camus, absurdism, postmodernism, consumerism, hyperreality.
Citation
Littérature et Civilisation