The Concept of Disappearance in Don DeLillo'sCosmopolis

Abstract

Although it is set in April of 2000, Cosmopolis is Don DeLillo's first post-9/11 novel. DeLillo presents the novel's protagonist, Eric Packer, as a kind of third Twin Tower, a monolithic symbol of global economic hegemony. The commentaries on 9/11 by Jean Baudrillard and Paul Virilio suggest a theoretical context for understanding the manner in which DeLillo portrays Eric's psychological collapse and the collapse of the World Trade Center as eerie analogues of one another, both indicating suicidal tendencies in the heart of homo technologicus.

Alienation in Don Delillo's "Cosmopolis"

“…The novel exposes the consequences of a society marked by extreme economic disparities, reflecting Durkheim's concerns about anomie and the breakdown of social cohesion (Leps,2018). Packer's opulent lifestyle and detachment from societal norms illustrate the disintegration of shared values and the emergence of a fragmented social order (Laist, 2010). Additionally, the novel engages with Marxian themes, unveiling the alienating effects of capitalism on both the individual and society.…”

“…Don DeLillo's "Cosmopolis" explores alienation within a hyper-modern, globalized urban environment. Published in 2003, the novel offers a dystopian glimpse into a near-future New York City, where technology, wealth, and societal structures intertwine to create an unsettling backdrop for the protagonist, Eric Packer (Laist, 2010). As the narrative unfolds, Packer's odyssey in his state-of-the-art limousine becomes a metaphorical journey through the labyrinth of contemporary alienation, touching upon societal disintegration, existential crises, and the dehumanizing impact of technology .…”