Compare Jim and Irene’s perspectives on the radio’s extraordinary powers. How do their perspectives evolve throughout the course of the story, and what character traits do their differences reveal?

Listening to classical music is something that the Westcotts seldom mention to others. Using examples from the story, analyze this tendency to keep such an interest a secret from others. Explain any insight this analysis provides into their character motivation.

The enormous radio's fantastical power in an otherwise realistic narrative is indicative of magical realism. If this story were set in the present, would a household radio be as meaningful and allow the author to communicate his message in the same way? If not, which appliance or technological device would be more effective today, and why?