“The Sound Machine” is a short story by Roald Dahl, first published in 1949. Though Dahl is most well-known for his works of children's literature, such as James and the Giant Peach, Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, he began his career as a writer of short fiction for adults - mostly in the horror and sci-fi genres. The themes of “The Sound Machine” reflect concerns that would have been at the forefront of cultural consciousness in the recent wake of World War II: that science and technology can cause terrible death and destruction and that human beings are capable of extreme atrocity.
Key Aspects of The Sound Machine
Tone
Suspenseful, dramatic, pulpy.
Setting
A small...
