Doctors As Authority Figures In White Noise

In Don DeLillo’s novel White Noise, the Gladneys are often influenced by the authority of doctors and their superior knowledge. They feel like doctors are superior and know everything. Jack is most affected by this authority, especially after his “airborne toxic incident” and exposure to Nyodene derivative. Jack is the Gladney member who has the most fear for doctors, and in particular the information that they hold. Jack can feel helpless and ignorant because of the doctors’ high authority. He may even feel that his life depends on what they say.

Jack and Babette decide, when Wilder begins to cry incessantly without apparent reason to investigate what is wrong with him. Jack and Babette become anxious at the mere idea of visiting a physician’s office. Jack and Babette prepared for the appointment. “We tried to recall what he ate the past 24 hours. We anticipated the questions and answered them carefully.” (75). Jack says: “It felt important to come up with the same answers, regardless of whether we were sure that they were correct2E Doctors tend to lose interest when people contradict eachother.” (75). The couple is intimidated by the doctor’s alleged omnipotence and high authority. They would lie to the doctor to get a good prognosis. Jack and Babette are convinced that Wilder’s dismissal from his practice is likely to occur unless Jack and Babette have a plan and prepared questions to ask the doctor. They seem to feel that they need to impress the doctor by showing how organized they are and how well-organized their family is.

It is evident that the family’s trust in a doctor’s authority has surpassed their own. Jack and Babette do not listen to Denise when she suggests that Wilder be given an aspirin before bedtime. Babette and Jack take Wilder to the doctor regardless. Wilder’s doctor ultimately offers the Gladneys exactly the same advice Denise previously offered. Babette replies to the doctor that Denise is a child and not a physician. (77) Jack and Babette must seek the opinion of a more senior authority to trust their daughter even though Denise is right and Wilder’s illness was extremely trivial.

Jack’s family believes that doctors have too much authority and they should be accessible to the public 24/7 and answer any questions their patients may ask. Jack and Denise demonstrate this by calling Babette’s Dr. Hookstratten’s home at ten in the evening. Jack is of the opinion that an experienced doctor should always be on hand to assist his patients. Babette’s physician, however, feels that Jack’s home visit is unnecessary and out-of-line. Jack insults the doctor by calling Dylar “a small, white tablet”. . . In an Amber Bottle” (180). Dr. Hookstratten replied, “You would say a tablet is small and white. And expect a response from a medical professional at home at ten o’clock at night.” Why don’t you tell me the round shape? This is essential to our cause.” (180). Jack’s high expectations for a doctor are shown here when he expects him to know the drug based on his description.

Jack, after his exposure to Nyodene Derivative and SIMUVAC technicians’ fatal evaluation, frequently visits Dr. Chakravarty for checkups in order to learn about the status of his health. Jack visits his local doctor, Dr. Chakravarty regularly for checkups in order to determine the status of Jack’s health. Could Jack’s condition be too complex for the doctor to explain to him in plain terms? Would he stop displaying his superior knowledge and stop blatantly ignoring Jack when he tells him about his potassium problem? Jack asks a question and the doctor replies, “There just isn’t enough time.” There are true and false evaluations. It’s all there is to it.” (260). He responds with, “It can mean anything, or nothing. . . . The less knowledge you have, the better.” It looks like Dr. Chakravarty doesn’t know what’s wrong and is afraid Jack will catch on to his lack of knowledge. Jack seeks answers at the doctor, but is left with confusion and a prescription to see another physician.

Jack is tested on his body while at Autumn Harvest Farms. The results can be printed immediately. Jack is told by the doctor, “I will ask questions using the printout. You can then answer as best you can.” I’ll give you a printout sealed in an envelope. Take it to your doctor and pay for the visit. Jack’s inability to see the results of his tests immediately shows the position of authority that White Noise doctors maintain. Jack may leave the doctor’s room wanting to know the results of his test, but the envelope will not be opened until it is brought to another doctor for analysis.

The doctor finally reads the section on the printout which shows Nyodene derivative in Jack’s body. The doctor responds that the magnetic scanner shows the presence of the chemical in Jack’s bloodstream when Jack denies having heard about it. I’m looking for the numbers in brackets with stars.” (279). The doctor also hands Jack the envelope before he leaves his office and repeats “Your doctor is familiar with the symbols.” (281). Jack is told that the symbols and scribbles on his chart represent his chances of dying and health. He can’t even understand them. He has no choice but to give the doctor this authority. Jack wouldn’t be able understand the symbols and would not know when he was going to die without the doctors.

One interesting thing to note is that Jack was originally sent to Autumn Harvest Farms by Dr. Chakravarty to get more information on his potassium condition. Autumn Harvest Farms sent Jack back to Dr. Chakravarty after they failed to give him any more information about the potassium problem. The doctors’ authority is almost feigned. Jack’s results are not properly analyzed by the doctors. They keep sending Jack to different doctors in hopes that they can determine the outcome. Jack is basically being given the wrong information by his doctors.

Jack has the strongest opinion on the Gladneys’ attitude toward authority figures. Jack is terrified of being ignored and brushed aside by a doctor who has authority. Jack remarks, “This has been my fear for a long time, that doctors would lose interest, instruct their staff to call me by other names, or take my dying as a given.” (76). Jack’s paranoia centers on a doctor telling him that his death or health isn’t important. Jack is scared of being rejected because he needs to know that his health or life are important. Jack also says “When you are shunted to a younger physician from an older one, it means you or your disease is second-rate.” He implies that a younger doctor has a “role” in treating the rejects of an established doctor. (179). The older doctor’s message is clear. It’s a clear message from the older doctor, aka. Jack seems to think that getting treated by the young doctor is insulting and a kind of slap.

Why do Gladneys kneel when their doctors assume authority over them? Why does Jack place all his trust in someone who is essentially just another person? Two words can answer these questions: trust and intimidation. Jack and Gladneys know little about medicine, so it is instinctive for them to trust those with the experience and expertise to do the job. DeLillo’s White Noise is a story about doctors who have so-called authority, but they are unable to diagnose or treat any illness.