The Wireless Set: Historical Context

Overview

“The Wireless Set” by George Mackay Brown is set within a historical context that greatly influences the themes of the story.

Time Period

The story is set during World War II, a time of high tension and misery the world over.
It alludes to a period of great change, with substantial advancements in technology and communication.

Historical Figures and Events

The story makes specific mention of Lord Haw-Haw, the pseudonym of William Joyce, who presented Nazi propaganda broadcasts during the war.
These broadcasts represent a jarring contrast to the isolated existence of the Orkney islands.
The news heard from the wireless set presents readers with snapshots of key events from the war, grounding the story in an identifiable historical timeline.

Location

The tale unfolds on the Orkney islands, a remote part of Scotland that was, and still is, largely shielded from ongoing worldly disruptions.
The setting subtly highlights the gulf between the islanders’ peaceful existence and the tumultuous happenings of global warfare.

Social Impact

The introduction of the wireless set highlights the arrival of modernity and technological advancements.
This new technology threatens to disrupt the familiar cycle of island life, highlighting the tension between traditional ways of life and the pressures of modernity.

Quotes and Analysis

“Out of the magic box voices talked and sang and played strange instruments”. This illustrates the novelty of the wireless set and its alien place in the island landscape.
“Howie heard these things on the box. Battles and sieges. The proud rebellious music.” Through this, we see the stark contrast between the peaceful island life and the ongoing war, brought to their homes via the wireless set.

Draw on these points when exploring the historical context of “The Wireless Set”. Understanding this context can provide valuable insight into the characters’ experiences and Mackay Brown’s overarching thematic concerns.