The Wireless Set: Howie signs up to the Army

Overview:

“The Wireless Set: Howie signs up to the Army” is the second narrative, part of a short story series by George Mackay Brown.
The story follows Howie’s decision to leave his rustic home to join the Army, creating a narrative that explores themes of identity, change, and sacrifice.
Howie’s transition from his hometown to the Army encapsulates feelings of alienation and apprehension, as well as the struggle to retain his identity.

Themes:

Identity and Change:

The central character, Howie, experiences an identity crisis as he leaves his familiar surroundings to join the Army.
This radical change challenges his perception of self and brings him into contact with new experiences and perspectives.

Sacrifice and Duty:

Howie’s decision to sign up for the Army demonstrates the theme of sacrifice. He leaves his comfortable rural life to serve his country, hence fulfilling a perceived duty.

Character Analysis:

Howie:

Howie evolves throughout the narrative. From being an innocent and naïve young man, he becomes more aware of the outside world and its harsh realities.
His anxiety and apprehension about leaving home and adapting to a new life in the Army make him relatable and evoke sympathy.

Techniques and Effects:

In telling Howie’s story, Mackay Brown employs metaphorical language to convey the broadening of Howie’s horizons and his evolution.
The juxtaposition of Howie’s rural life with his new life in the Army brilliantly captures the dramatic change in his experiences.
Through vivid descriptions, the author crafts an evocative picture of both environments, contrasting the gentle rhythms of nature with the mechanised and disciplined world of the Army.

Quotes and Analysis:

“The farm boy with sweeping Orkney landscapes in his eyes was slowly being ground into the disciplined soldier.” - This quote subtly encapsulates Howie’s transformation and internal conflict.
“He realised he was a tiny piece in the vast machine of the Army.” - Reflecting Howie’s feelings of insignificance, this line underscores the author’s exploration of identity within the story.

For a better understanding, it would be helpful to analyse the correlations between the themes and characters and provide quotes as references in essays, keeping in mind the various literary techniques employed by the author.