"The Enormous Radio", by John Cheever, can be seen as a study of addiction and its harmful effects on the individual and their environment. The story introduces the Westcott family and the radio they listen to daily. One evening the radio stopped working and, knowing how much his wife Irene loved listening to the radio, Jim bought a very large and expensive one. At first, Irene is rather put off by “the physical ugliness of the large piece of gumwood furniture.” Its "dials were flooded with a malevolent green light" and contained "violent forces" within. Irene's initial reaction to the radio is similar to that of many alcoholics to alcohol, namely its bitter taste and the "violent forces" that overwhelm a person unaccustomed to its effects, but the metaphor can also be extended to other types of dependencies. Cheever's brilliant story details every stage of a classic addiction: the torment, the hitting bottom, the self-realization, the recovery. Say no to plagiarism. Get Custom Essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get Original Essay Alcoholics are not born drug addicts; rather, they develop this habit after enjoying the sensations of drinking alcohol and seeking them over and over again until they become consumed and addicted to its effects. For alcoholics, drinking usually began as a social activity or simply as a drink to stimulate relaxation. Similarly, the Westcotts initially have a completely innocent interest in radio, using it simply as a means of listening to music; a way to relax and spend time with your partner after a day of work. But once the new radio is delivered, they discover that it has other capabilities: it gives them the possibility of accessing the private worlds of their neighbors. When they realize what their radio can do, the Westcotts' first reaction is paranoia: "Maybe they can hear us," Jim says. This feeling turns into curiosity, as Irene says: “I guess she [Sweeney's nurse] can't hear us. Try something else. Their third response is joy and cheerfulness with a shadow of perplexity. At the end of the day, the "music" from the radio leaves them both "weak with laughter." The next day, after finishing her morning tasks, Irene rushes to the new radio which beckons her and lets herself be consumed by the conversations of her neighbors. She listens attentively and can't seem to hide her intense curiosity. Embarrassed by her new addiction, she hides this new interest from her servant by walking past her. Like an alcoholic hiding his alcohol, Irene becomes “furtive”. Jim, on the other hand, has to work all day and has neither the time nor the interest to indulge in this new radio, so he avoids becoming addicted like his wife. Her neighbors' conversations astonish Irene, and after spending many hours in front of the radio, she becomes increasingly uncomfortable with the radio's revelations. She quickly learns that her neighbors' lives are very different from what they show the public. Many of their lives are more "melancholic" and filled with "despair" than she ever imagined. The more Irene gives in to her curiosity, the stronger her dependence becomes. Her new addiction radically changes her personality, making her “sad” and “vague.” The sadness eventually turns into a "radiant melancholy" that even Jim doesn't know. Like an alcoholic steeped in her habit, Irene becomes depressed and withdrawn. At a party, she is extremely uncomfortable and.