The Significance of Names

College-on-the-Hill
America was founded by the Puritans as a so-called “city on a hill.” Matthew 5:14 says “You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden.”This phrase has been used historically as rationalization for American exceptionalism, Manifest Destiny, the American dream, and the “white man’s burden.” These grand concepts define the idealized nation that the Puritans set out to form. The school that Jack is a professor (in Hitler studies) at is entitled the College-On-The-Hill. The concept of being prominent in the public eye and an example to all others is a familiar one. In this case, however, the college has seemingly meaningless departments focusing on Pop Culture and  Hitler studies. In the first chapter, Delillo describes students returning from vacation as a procession of sameness. Each station wagon is exactly the same as the one behind it. The anonymity and monotony of life in a supposed example for the world demonstrates Delillo’s belief that American exceptionalism is impractical and ridiculous in modern society.

Heinrich
Jack’s greatest desire is to appear knowledgeable and authoritative to his colleagues. In Chapter 14, Denise questions Jack as to how he decided on his son, Heinrich’s, name. He answers, “I thought it had an authority that might cling to him. I thought it was forceful and impressive and I still do. I wanted to shield him, make him unafraid. (63)” Jack demonstrates even in the naming of his son his need to impress and gain an advantage over his competition.

Blacksmith
Blacksmiths are generally seen as uneducated, simple, and hard-working. According to this definition, they are connected to the foundations of American society. Naming the town in which Jack and his family reside Blacksmith creates a feel of small-town simplicity. Murray portrays the town positively in relation to the city, saying it is less corrupted by sexual influence. However, the town is overrun by a sense of monotony. The dual nature of safety and security is demonstrated.