Influence of Media

In this novel, the main character is a reporter for a local newspaper. However, Streator feels as though people are addicted to sound and the media. Streator can constantly hear the sounds of television and radios through the walls of his apartment. This annoys him, leaving him feel as though he is the only person in the world who is not addicted to sound. When Streator learns about the power of the culling song, he begins to think of the implications should something like that become public. Streator imagines that people will burn books and refuse to listen to anything or anyone in order to protect their own lives.

Streator also becomes aware in the course of his experiences that Oyster, the boyfriend of Helen Hoover Boyle's receptionist, places ads in the newspaper suggesting a class action lawsuit is being prepared so that the business targeted...