The Impact of the Gun in White Noise

I believe that other than the obvious motive for the killing of Willie, Vernon giving the gun to Jack is the largest factor in the eventually murder. The idea of fear of death for Jack was a large driving factor in the book and this constant theme that was almost taken away once Jack got the gun. With his original reluctancy to have the gun, eventually it gave him the confidence to eventually commit the murder. As well as it was very much a crime of passion, I believe that if Vernon didnt give the gun the murder would not have happened. Jack was a very collected character throughout he book and his actions if you had only read the first 3/4 of the book it would have come as a surprise that he committed murder. This is even shown with his humility at the end bringing the body to the nuns. With all of these factors it is clear that his new ego with owning the gun and the paranoia of the fear of death were the main factors in the murder. And if Vernon did not give him the gun, I believe the murder wouldn’t have happened.