The Enourmous Radio Keeping up Appearances
"Turn that thing off," Irene said. "Maybe they can hear us." Everyone keeps up appearances, no one wears their reality on their sleeve or even in their minds. It is much easier to criticize others than to critique ourselves, as learned in the story "The enormous radio". In the story an upper middle class couple buys a new radio. This radio has the ability to tune in on other conversations taking place in the apartment building. When Irene learns that the radio has such unexplainable features she says "Turn that thing off... Maybe they can hear us (pg 87)." This quote helps understand the depth and meaning of the story. The story is truly about being afraid to be open and honest with yourself as well as with others. The quote also represents the subconscious rules society places on us. There is an immense fear of being judged that everyone in the story seems to have in common. It is ironic that this fear of judgment Irene feels does not stop her from judging others. Although Irene does not want to be heard by others she certainly does not see a problem with listening in on her neighbors affairs. In fact she becomes enthralled with listening to the new, ever so phenomenal radio. Irenes fascination
Irene is beginning to discover the sad reality that people aren't what they seem. Irene discovers a woman at a party desperately trying to make her husband look good by saying "Talk to somebody, for Christ's sake, honey, talk to somebody. If she catches you standing her not talking to anybody, she'll take us off her invitation list (pg 89)." Irene behaves as though she has never in her life heard anyone behave in these hypocritical, vulgar, abusive, inhuman ways. Irene eventually becomes horrified when she finds out about the horrible acts that are being committed in her very own building. She overhears a woman speaking about finding a diamond and not returning it to the owner (pg 89). She hears her neighbor Mr. Osborne beating his wife (pg 90). She learns a neighbor is having an affair with the handyman (pg 90). She even hears couples arguing about finances. How could they be arguing about finances when the people in the building enter the elevator in fur coats? with the radio is strikingly similar to America's fascination with reality based television programming. At first the incredible radio is a novelty. Jim and Irene laugh at their neighbors' behaviors. Irene begins to doubt her own life, asking her husband Jim for reassurance; "we're happy, aren't we, darling (pg 90)?" By doubting herself she is well on the way to discovering her own faults. Toward the end of
Some common words found in the essay are:
Talk Christ's, Irene Maybe, Lisa Steinberg, Jim Irene, pg 90, listening neighbors, pg 89, arguing finances, maybe hear, little girl,
Approximate Word count = 937
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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