"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 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 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
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