Dans cet article, nous allons résumer l’entretien donné par Don DeLillo dans « The Art of Fiction No. 135 » en 1993. L’auteur américain y aborde différents sujets tels que son processus d’écriture, ses influences littéraires, sa vision de la société américaine et son rapport à la fiction. Ce dialogue nous permettra de mieux comprendre la démarche créative de l’un des écrivains les plus importants de notre époque.
Don DeLillo’s Early Life and Career
Don DeLillo’s early life and career were marked by a passion for writing and a dedication to honing his craft. Born in New York City in 1936, DeLillo grew up in the Bronx and attended Fordham University, where he studied communication arts. After graduation, he worked as a copywriter for an advertising agency before devoting himself full-time to writing fiction.
DeLillo’s early novels, including « Americana » and « End Zone, » were marked by a distinctive style that blended satire, humor, and social commentary. These works established him as a major voice in American literature, and he continued to produce acclaimed novels throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including « White Noise, » « Libra, » and « Underworld. »
Throughout his career, DeLillo has been praised for his ability to capture the complexities of contemporary life and to explore the ways in which technology, media, and politics shape our world. His work has been compared to that of other great American writers, including Thomas Pynchon and William Faulkner, and he has won numerous awards for his contributions to literature.
Despite his success, DeLillo remains committed to the art of fiction and to the process of writing. In a 1993 interview with The Paris Review, he spoke about the importance of discipline and routine in his work, and about the challenges of balancing the demands of writing with the distractions of everyday life. For DeLillo, the art of fiction is a lifelong pursuit, and his early life and career are a testament to his dedication and passion for the craft.
The Writing Process and Inspiration
Dans l’article « The Art of Fiction No. 135 » de Don DeLillo, l’auteur partage son processus d’écriture et son inspiration pour écrire des romans. Selon DeLillo, l’écriture est un processus solitaire et introspectif qui nécessite une grande concentration et une discipline rigoureuse. Il explique que pour écrire un roman, il commence par une idée ou un concept qui l’obsède, puis il passe des mois à faire des recherches et à élaborer une structure pour son histoire.
DeLillo souligne également l’importance de la langue dans son travail d’écriture. Il considère que la langue est un outil puissant pour créer des images et des émotions chez le lecteur. Il passe donc beaucoup de temps à peaufiner ses phrases et à trouver les mots justes pour exprimer ses idées.
Enfin, DeLillo aborde le thème de l’inspiration. Il explique que l’inspiration peut venir de n’importe où, que ce soit d’une conversation entendue dans la rue ou d’une image vue dans un magazine. Il encourage les écrivains à être ouverts et réceptifs à leur environnement, car c’est souvent là que se trouvent les idées les plus intéressantes.
En somme, l’article de Don DeLillo offre un aperçu fascinant du processus d’écriture d’un écrivain renommé. Il montre que l’écriture est un travail exigeant qui nécessite une grande discipline et une passion pour la langue. Mais il souligne également que l’inspiration peut venir de n’importe où, et que les écrivains doivent être prêts à saisir les idées qui se présentent à eux.
The Themes of DeLillo’s Novels
DeLillo’s novels are known for their exploration of themes such as the nature of language, the impact of technology on society, and the human condition in the face of violence and death. In his interview with The Paris Review, DeLillo discusses how these themes are often interconnected and how they reflect his own preoccupations as a writer. He notes that language is a central concern in his work, as it is the medium through which we experience the world and communicate with others. Technology, on the other hand, is a more recent addition to his repertoire, reflecting the rapid changes in our society and the ways in which we interact with each other and the world around us. Finally, DeLillo’s exploration of violence and death speaks to the fundamental questions of what it means to be human and how we cope with the inevitability of our own mortality. Together, these themes form the backbone of DeLillo’s oeuvre, and they continue to resonate with readers today.
The Role of Language in DeLillo’s Fiction
Dans l’article « The Art of Fiction No. 135 » de Don DeLillo, l’auteur discute de l’importance du langage dans sa fiction. Selon DeLillo, le langage est un outil essentiel pour créer des personnages et des situations réalistes. Il utilise souvent des dialogues pour donner vie à ses personnages et pour explorer leurs pensées et leurs motivations. De plus, DeLillo utilise le langage pour créer une atmosphère et une ambiance particulières dans ses romans. Il utilise des phrases courtes et des descriptions précises pour créer une tension et une urgence dans ses histoires. En fin de compte, le langage est un élément clé de la fiction de DeLillo, et il est utilisé de manière experte pour créer des histoires captivantes et réalistes.
The Influence of Technology on DeLillo’s Work
Don DeLillo is a writer who has been greatly influenced by technology in his work. In an interview with The Paris Review, DeLillo discussed how technology has impacted his writing process and the themes he explores in his novels. He stated that « technology is a part of our lives, and it’s a part of the way we think about ourselves and the world around us. » This sentiment is evident in many of his works, including White Noise and Zero K, which both explore the impact of technology on human existence.
In White Noise, DeLillo examines the role of technology in shaping our perceptions of reality. The novel’s protagonist, Jack Gladney, is a professor of Hitler studies who becomes obsessed with the idea of death after a chemical spill in his town. He turns to technology, specifically a drug called Dylar, to try and escape his fear of death. However, the more he relies on technology, the more he becomes disconnected from the natural world and his own humanity.
Similarly, in Zero K, DeLillo explores the idea of technological immortality. The novel follows a billionaire who funds a facility where people can freeze themselves in the hopes of being revived in the future. The novel raises questions about the ethics of using technology to cheat death and the consequences of living forever.
Overall, DeLillo’s work demonstrates a deep understanding of the ways in which technology shapes our lives and our perceptions of the world. His novels serve as cautionary tales about the dangers of relying too heavily on technology and the importance of maintaining our connection to the natural world.
The Relationship between Politics and Fiction
Dans l’article « The Art of Fiction No. 135 » de Don DeLillo, l’auteur explore la relation entre la politique et la fiction. Selon DeLillo, la politique est un élément inévitable de la vie et, par conséquent, de la fiction. Il soutient que la politique peut être utilisée comme un outil pour explorer les thèmes de la société et de la culture dans la fiction. DeLillo souligne également que la politique peut être utilisée pour créer des personnages complexes et pour explorer les motivations et les actions des personnages. En fin de compte, DeLillo affirme que la politique et la fiction sont étroitement liées et que la politique peut être un élément important de la création de fiction significative et engageante.
The Importance of Research in DeLillo’s Writing
In the Art of Fiction No. 135, Don DeLillo emphasizes the importance of research in his writing process. He believes that research is essential to creating a believable and authentic world for his characters to inhabit. DeLillo spends a significant amount of time researching various topics, from the history of the Cold War to the intricacies of the financial industry. He believes that this attention to detail is what sets his work apart from other writers. By immersing himself in the subject matter, DeLillo is able to create a world that feels real and lived-in. This commitment to research is evident in his novels, which are often praised for their accuracy and depth of knowledge. For DeLillo, research is not just a means to an end, but an integral part of the writing process.
The Reception and Criticism of DeLillo’s Novels
DeLillo’s novels have been both celebrated and criticized by literary critics and readers alike. Some have praised his unique style and ability to capture the complexities of modern society, while others have found his work to be overly intellectual and detached.
In his 1993 interview with The Paris Review, DeLillo discussed the mixed reception of his novels, acknowledging that his writing can be challenging for some readers. He stated, « I think my work is difficult for some people because it’s not always clear what’s happening on the surface. But I’m not trying to be obscure. I’m trying to create a certain kind of tension and complexity. »
Despite the criticism, DeLillo’s novels have garnered numerous awards and accolades, including the National Book Award for White Noise and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Mao II. His work continues to be studied and analyzed by scholars and readers alike, cementing his place as one of the most important writers of our time.
The Future of American Literature according to DeLillo
Dans l’interview « The Art of Fiction No. 135 » de Don DeLillo en 1993, l’auteur a partagé ses réflexions sur l’avenir de la littérature américaine. Selon DeLillo, la littérature américaine continuera d’évoluer et de se transformer en fonction des changements sociaux et culturels. Il a souligné que la littérature américaine est influencée par les événements politiques et sociaux, et que les écrivains doivent être conscients de ces changements pour créer des œuvres significatives.
DeLillo a également noté que la technologie aura un impact sur la littérature américaine. Il a prédit que les écrivains utiliseront de plus en plus les nouvelles technologies pour créer des œuvres innovantes et expérimentales. De plus, il a souligné que la technologie changera la façon dont les gens lisent et interagissent avec la littérature.
En fin de compte, DeLillo a conclu que la littérature américaine continuera d’évoluer et de se transformer, mais que l’essence de la littérature restera la même. Les écrivains continueront de raconter des histoires qui reflètent la condition humaine et qui nous aident à comprendre le monde qui nous entoure.