In Don Delilo's, White Noise several themes are shown throughout the novel. Some themes that are often shown are fear of death, loss of identity, technology as the enemy, and American consumerism. The society depicted in the novel views people as objects and is emotionally detached from many things. The culture represented in the novel contributes to the loss of individualism, but it also goes hand in hand with consumerism. Jack Gladney, the main character of the book on Hitler studies. He has a hidden fear of death that gradually grows throughout the book. He is so infatuated with death and his studies; begins to lose its individuality. He spends so much time talking and educating people about Hitler, but still feels the need to hide behind a robe and thick glasses. When he is out of his element he is insecure and unsure of who he is as a person without his studies. To appear like a more established professional, he added a false initial to his name to appear legitimate. “I spent a lot of time in my office, hiding.” (DeLillo, 261) This is said when he was surrounded by German speaking people and felt insecure about his intelligence. Even if he is one of the best in his field, when there is a small breakdown insecurity takes over. You are not an individual if you live life in accordance with society and its expectations and that is exactly what it is doing. He's lost and without his study of Hitler, he's not very sure who he is. When Gladney was in public, one of his colleagues met him and saw him without a robe and thick glasses. He points out to Gladney that he doesn't like being so intimidating anymore, he actually seems harmless and not at all distinctive. The identity he created is... in the middle of a sheet of paper... photos of the king but no details about the stable. DeLillo deliberately wrote about the surroundings and not the barn to demonstrate the tourists' state of mind. “Once you see the barn signs, it becomes impossible to see the barn.” (DeLillo 12) They don't ask for the reasoning behind the barn, they just want a photo to advertise the site and to be part of what everyone else is doing. The reputation enjoyed by the barn is sufficient confirmation for tourists to see this as an important site. They have no interest in the history of the barn or why it became the most photographed barn in America. There can be literally no reasoning behind this, but the fact that the media is involved is reason enough to stop and take a photo. This society is run so much by the media that it takes away not only the real barn but also their individuality.