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 worries that people may be able to hear their argument. I used to see her being picked up from school by what looked to be her "loving" father. But, at least the radio played the news so she could distract herself with the latest earth shattering problems instead of facing her own. Jim can't take it anymore he finally communicates his true feelings that he has been hiding from Irene. In fact, most of us would rather be distracted from our faults than accept and deal with them in a healthy way. She wished she could hide by turning the radio on and listening to her neighbors troubles (pg 92). Toward the end of the story Irene argues with Jim over finances just like their neighbors. 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. As it turns out, Irene wasn't the innocent person she portrayed herself to be. In the fifth grade I recall finding out shocking news about a girl who went attended the same school as me. There is a little bit of Irene in most people. Irene stole from her mother after her mother died, never gave her sister any money when she needed it, and even had an abortion.
Common topics in this essay:
Talk Christ's,
Irene Maybe,
Lisa Steinberg,
Jim Irene,
pg 90,
listening neighbors,
pg 89,
arguing finances,
maybe hear,
little girl,
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Acceptance Essays
