Underworld summary

Exploring the Depths of Human Existence

In Underworld by Don DeLillo, we are taken on a journey through the second half of the 20th century, exploring the depths of human existence. The novel opens with a prologue set in 1992, where we meet Nick Shay, a waste management executive, who is haunted by his past. We then travel back to 1951, where we witness the famous baseball game between the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the aftermath of Bobby Thomson's game-winning home run, known as the 'Shot Heard Round the World'.

DeLillo then introduces us to the character of Cotter Martin, a young boy who skips school to attend the game and ends up retrieving the historic home run ball. This act sets off a chain of events that will reverberate throughout the novel. We are then transported to the 1980s, where we meet Klara Sax, an artist and the former lover of Nick Shay. Their paths cross again, and we see how their lives have been shaped by the events of their past.

Interweaving Personal and Historical Narratives

Throughout Underworld, DeLillo masterfully interweaves personal and historical narratives, showing how individual lives are affected by larger events. The Cuban Missile Crisis, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, and the rise of consumer culture all serve as backdrops to the characters' lives. We see how these events shape their identities, beliefs, and relationships.

At the same time, the novel delves deep into the characters' inner worlds, exploring their fears, desires, and struggles. Nick Shay's traumatic childhood, Klara Sax's artistic ambitions, and Cotter Martin's search for meaning are all vividly portrayed. DeLillo's prose is rich and evocative, capturing the essence of each character's experience.

Themes of Waste and Disposability

One of the central themes of Underworld is waste and disposability. This theme is reflected not only in Nick Shay's profession but also in the characters' lives. The novel presents a world where everything, from relationships to material possessions, is treated as disposable. Nick's job involves managing waste, while Klara's art is centered around discarded objects. Even the historic baseball, the central symbol of the novel, ends up discarded and forgotten.

However, amidst this theme of waste, Underworld also offers moments of redemption and connection. Despite the disposability of the world around them, the characters strive to find meaning and forge genuine connections. Nick and Klara's rekindled relationship, Cotter's search for the lost baseball, and the characters' shared experiences all serve as testaments to the enduring human spirit.

Confronting the Underbelly of American Society

As the novel progresses, Underworld confronts the underbelly of American society. DeLillo presents a world driven by consumerism, mass production, and the constant threat of nuclear war. The characters are caught in this web of societal pressures, struggling to find their place amidst the chaos. The novel's title, Underworld, serves as a metaphor for this hidden, darker side of American life.

In conclusion, Underworld by Don DeLillo is a sprawling, ambitious novel that offers a panoramic view of American society in the second half of the 20th century. Through its richly drawn characters and evocative prose, the novel explores the interplay between personal and historical narratives, the theme of waste and disposability, and the underbelly of American society. It is a profound meditation on the human condition and the forces that shape our lives.