5. "I've got death inside me. It's just a question of whether or not I can outlive it." | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

5 Best Quotes By Don DeLillo

"People who are powerless make an open theater of violence."

165
http://www.ekathimerini.com/resources/2016-03/dondelillo-thumb-large.jpg
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Don_delillo_nyc_02.jpg

Breaking onto the American Literary scene in 1971 with the publishing of his book "Americana", Don DeLillo was initially well-regarded as a cult writer before the issue of his ninth book "White Noise" fourteen years later. Receiving the National Book Award and hailed by TIME as one of the "Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005", the book is revered as one of the finest examples of Postmodernist literature in the United States.

Going on to become a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his works "Mao II" and "Underworld", DeLillo's incisive examination of consumerism, underground conspiracies, novelty intellectualism, and rebirth through violence beneath the lens of satire has lead scholars and critics to deem him as one of the four major American Novelists of his time -- an honor he shares with Philip Roth, Thomas Pynchon, and Cormac McCarthy. Here are five of the best lines delivered by one, if not the foremost figure of the Postmodernist movement:

1. "The greater the scientific advance, the more primitive the fear."

Scientific discovery and innovation are pursued to make that of our society simpler in being able to attain and entertain our foremost desires and deepest emotions. But in granting ourselves greater access to such yearnings, we have in turn made ourselves simple by granting greater authority to our impulses.

2. "It is possible to be homesick for a place even when you are there."

The places we long to travel to, to live in, are never truly the places we long to travel to, or live in. Even after we find ourselves able to live in them, and travel to them, we are still left longing to travel to them, and to live in them.

3. "People who are powerless make an open theater of violence."

Those in power should fear those without it. For it is those without power that will feel the most empowered.

4. "There are dead stars that still shine because their light is trapped in time. Where do I stand in this light, which does not strictly exist?"

We look to stars and any source of light above us as hope for life. But what good is that hope if it's as dead as we are? And has been dead for far longer?

5. "I've got death inside me. It's just a question of whether or not I can outlive it."

We're all dying, and eventually, we die. It's just a matter of what we do what time death grants us as we pass from babies taking our first breath in this world to old men confined to an old folks home; wasting away with the passing of each day until we pass into the dust used to bury what remains of us.

At 82, death draws ever nigh for Don DeLillo, although it has yet to decide when to claim him. Leaving him around for much longer in his attempt to outlive the inevitable. However, what is inevitable, are those among the dying touched by his words, inspired to believe they will outlive something.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

36534
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

17252
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

318420
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Yoga love

A long over due thank you note to my greatest passion.

30879
A person in a yoga pose surrounded by a supportive community of fellow yogis with a look of peace and gratitude on their face the image should convey the sense of strength mindfulness and appreciation that the writer feels towards yoga
StableDiffusion

Dearest Yoga,

You deserve a great thank you.

Keep Reading...Show less
Arts Entertainment

Epic Creation Myths: Norse Origins Unveiled

What happened in the beginning, and how the heavens were set in motion.

11006
The Norse Creation Myth

Now, I have the everlasting joy of explaining the Norse creation myth. To be honest, it can be a bit kooky, so talking about it is always fun. The entire cosmos is included in this creation myth, not just the earth but the sun and the moon as well. This will be a short retelling, a summary of the creation myth, somewhat like I did with Hermod's ride to Hel.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments