In The Heat Of The Night Analysis

Voices projecting from a distant television, bold headlines smothering tabloids, the caress of numbered buttons on automated teller machines, all harmonize creating a melody of distractions for a disease stricken society. A society attempting to occupy their senses with a soundtrack on repeat, failing to suppress an ever-present fear. Such imagery unnaturally emerges from the pages of DeLillo’s novel to emphasize the validity of its purpose. Unfortunately, the white noise fails to mask thoughts of the inevitable, which constantly linger in dark corners of worrisome minds. The airborne toxic creates a physical hindrance that correlates with the progression of internal struggles that occur in a mind inhabited with the fear of death. The dark

Families began forcing themselves into barracks fully stocked with supplies at a Boy Scout camp (126). The billowing cloud has chased unsuspecting individuals out of their homes and into unfamiliar shelters. The thought of death, likewise, constantly pursues the minds of individuals, causing them feel discomfort when most vulnerable. Jack was finally content in the barrack, even finding additional comfort in his children as they slept peacefully nearby (141, 149). The thoughts of death that dwell in his mind also subside at points during the novel, but never fail to reoccur. The seemingly everlasting sense of tranquility would soon be blown away by a gust of wind. The black billowing cloud suddenly changes direction, heading toward the barrack and forcing everyone within to flee to an alternate location (148-149). Jack’s feelings of security from the catastrophic gas were only temporary, as were his attempts to disregard his personal struggle with death. Government employees inform Jack that he has been exposed to the deadly gas and will consequently take years off of his life (136). The traces of the gas in his system reinforce the notion that the fear of dying defines Jack’s thoughts and actions. The black billowing cloud was not easy to escape and caused much turmoil for those in its path. Even after the cloud diminished and the people of Blacksmith were able to return to their homes, remains of the cloud lurked within Jack’s body, providing a constant physical reminder that death can never be truly