I slept for four years. I didn't study much of anything. I majored in something called communication arts.

The quote “I slept for four years. I didn’t study much of anything. I majored in something called communication arts.” by Don DeLillo is a wry and self-deprecating reflection on his college years, capturing both the aimlessness and humor that can accompany the early stages of a writer's journey. DeLillo, one of America’s most celebrated novelists, is known for his deep explorations of media, culture, and language, making his casual dismissal of his own academic experience particularly ironic.

By saying he "slept for four years," DeLillo suggests a period of intellectual dormancy or lack of direction during college, despite being enrolled in a program called communication arts — a field ironically centered on the very ideas of expression, media, and message-making that would later define his career. His tone implies a sense of detachment, hinting that formal education did little to shape his thinking compared to real-world observation and self-directed learning.

The phrase “something called communication arts” carries a slightly mocking tone, possibly poking fun at the vagueness or perceived lack of rigor in certain academic disciplines. Yet, this irony deepens when we consider that DeLillo would go on to become a master of narrative craft, exploring how communication, both personal and societal, shapes human experience. His early disregard for the field stands in contrast to how central those very themes became in his literary work.

The origin of this quote likely comes from an interview or retrospective discussion in which DeLillo was asked about his educational background. True to his voice as a postmodern writer, his response downplays conventional paths to success, suggesting that formal education is not the only — or even the most important — ingredient in the making of an artist. Instead, it’s the deeper awareness, experience, and critical thought that ultimately inform meaningful work.