The Sound Machine.pptx

english literature

1. THE SOUND MACHINE ROALD DAHL(1916-1990)

2. TITLE The title is appropriate as the story revolves around the sound machine invented by the protagonist in an attempt to capture the sounds which are inaudible to the human ear.

3. SETTING The story is set in Klausner’s laboratory which is located in a secluded wooden shed at the back of the house. The interior of the shed is an unpainted room, having a long wooden workbench. On this bench lies a ‘black box’, about three feet long, shaped like a ‘child’s coffin’, the sound machine invented by Klausner. The second place mentioned is his garden, at the back of his house. It is an open space ideal for listening to sounds.

4. The third place mentioned in the story is a park, where Klausner takes his machine to test its usefulness. The time chosen for the action in the story is also appropriate, i.e. in a warm summer evening, at night and early morning, when there is comparatively less noise than the rest of the day.

5. CHARACTERISATION KLAUSNER Physical attributes small, frail man, nervous and twitchy. Large head inclined towards his left shoulder Face- smooth and pale, almost white Pale- grey hair Pale, small, thin, looks like an ancient, consumptive, bespectacled child.

6. CHARACTER TRAITS TEXTUAL EVIDENCES Meticulous and patient He picked up a piece of paper….checking each wire. He did this for perhaps an hour. Insecure (lack of confidence) He was shifting from one foot…. He kept talking to himself….happen if it did. Nervous He was a small,… where the body was. Crazy/ mad Mrs. Saunders …..completely crazy.

7. Patient Klausner sat down…and waited. Excited There was no sign of madness….excited. Confident “What does it sound like?”… “Exactly…like?”

8. Dr. Scott Character traits Textual evidences Inquisitive “What is this?”…Making a radio?”…But he kept standing there…was up to. Skeptical The doctor looked at the long, black…I wish you luck. The doctor smiled….over his ears. The doctor began to… don’t know.” Nervous The doctor…nervous. The doctor hesitated. He saw…run away fast.

9. THEMES 1. Individuality Vs. Conformity Society has certain accepted norms and beliefs, theories and interpretations of life. When an individual’s beliefs or theories differ with what society upholds, that person meets obstacles. The story seems to suggest that a compromise can be reached so that the individual can survive in the face of opposition.

10. 2. Madness vs. Sanity People who hold different views from the rest of the society are often labelled as mad. In the story, Klausner’s madness is hinted at. His behavior and what he propounds seem strange and odd to others.

11. 3. Appearance vs. reality The question that lingers from the beginning to the end of the story is whether the sounds that Klausner heard were real or a figment of his imagination. Klausner is totally convinced that there are sounds that ordinary human ear cannot hear. Another theory he claims is that plants cry out when they are cut. The Sound Machine which could have proved these facts is destroyed. This is another question that remains unanswered till the end. There may be differing perceptions of reality.

12. 4. Rejection vs. Acceptance The Sound Machine shows us that people are different. It seems to suggest that we should not reject people who are different from us or whose ideas we find controversial. Even if you are not convinced or do not agree with others’ views, it is possible to live harmoniously with each other.