Don DeLillo's cinematic imaginary: from A(mericana) to Z(ero K). Issue 10 (3rd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sheehan, Paul
• Is Part Of: Textual practice. Volume 35:Issue 10(2021)
• Page Start: 1685
• Page End: 1705
• Publication Date: 2021-10-03
• Subjects: DeLillo -- Americana -- Running Dog -- Underworld -- Godard -- Eisenstein; Literature, Modern -- 20th century -- History and criticism -- Periodicals; Criticism -- Periodicals; Criticism, Textual -- Periodicals; Semiotics -- Periodicals; 801.95
• DOI: 10.1080/0950236X.2021.1965296
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-236X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In his fictional works and in interviews, Don DeLillo has always been open and forthcoming about what the cinema has meant to him, as a writer. This article plots the development of a 'cinematic imaginary' in DeLillo's works, by focusing on his ability to devise various kinds of uncanny, para-cinematic artefacts. Three novels in particular – Americana, Running Dog and Underworld – are based around elusive, enigmatic films-in-the-making, in which (filmic) genre asserts itself and the influence of Jean-Luc Godard continues to be felt. The discussion concludes on an elegiac note, as DeLillo moves away from the cinematic towards a different kind of imaginary in his late work.