White Noise Response

11: Expostulate on the narrator's idea that it is "always odd numbers at a time like this (47)." -fifteen miles east

I believe the narrator was referring to the unluckiness odd numbers represent. The time reads 3:51 in the morning of his 51st birthday. The narrator believes odd numbers are something like an omen, and seeing as he is approaching his 51st year of age, also an odd number, he is closer to dying, a prominent fear of his. The narrator sees odd numbers all around him, which is why he claims there are “always odd numbers.” “A time like this” refers to the current situation he is in; in bed, waking drenched in sweat as he felt so close to death in his dreams.

Chapter Nine:
The elementary school is evacuated due to children getting "headaches and eye irritations, tasting metals in their mouths." Does this event foreshadow more troubles to come? -She Said She Said

I think this event foreshadows upcoming trouble. The children are obviously suffering from some sort of disease or infestation and are just beginning to show symptoms, hinting that more may come from this. Especially after a man in a suit made to protect himself from whatever could have harmed the children dies while inside the building, it seems more likely that something more will come from this strange occurrence. Personally, I think there is a problem with one of the products or appliances used in the school that has been recently developed and the people are not very familiar with yet, such as lead in the paint.

5. Describe the contrast of Murray's thrill of white packaging and keen obsession with smell. -Whatcha No Bout Me?

The obvious contrast between Murray’s love of white packaging and ability to judge all grocery products by their smell is that he enjoys the look of simplistic items but is delighted by the distinctive smells of foods that distinguish them from one another and help to rate their goodness. Murray shows his satirical side by his appreciation of the plain white packaging of the generic products, even though they contain products that taste just as good as the name brand colorful products. He realizes that not every good thing in life comes is wrapped in pretty colors with an expensive price tag. The smell of food, however, can judge the true quality of the products even when the appearance might be deceiving.