The Free Radio
Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie is a writer and was born in Bombay on June 19’th 1947. He went to a school in Bombay and read later on History at King’s College and at Cambridge. After graduating, he lived in Pakistan with his family. He worked briefly in the television business before he returned back to England. He began to work as a copywriter for an advertising agency. His published his first novel, Grimus in 1975.

Introduction
For my Individual Oral Presentation I have chosen the short story "The Free Radio" in the book "East West" by Salman Rushdie. The various stories in East West are largely similar in their extravagant and far-fetched plots however "The Free Radio" reflects a true occurrence in Indian History. A symbol is something such as an object, picture, written word, sound, or particular mark that represents something else by association, resemblance, or convention. For example, a red octagon may stand for "STOP". In "The Free Radio", the importance and focus on the free radio from the protagonist and narrator results in readers being able to observe the various symbols which the free radio adopts and thus allows readers to see beyond its literal meaning to its intended symbolism for better understanding of the text and the messages in which it holds. Young, handsome Ramani- the protagonist of the story was unfortunate enough to fall in love with the "Thief's Widow" The introduction of the decision Ramani made to "Rob himself of his manhood" comes hand in hand with the introduction of the Free Radio. Firstly, To Ramani the Radio directly represents a symbol of achievement and loss. It represents a memorandum to the pain he has suffered, the manhood he has lost however it more importantly signifies the widow's hand in marriage, which he has gained.

Middle
“The free radio” reflects on the ability to think clearly and self-deception. The failure in the Indian system is demonstrated in Ramani where he adjusts his way of thinking so much that he deceives himself for almost a year. Ramani is happy during that year and the “rare quality of total belief in his dreams” allowed him to live a happy life. In the end this belief in his dreams are contributed to his decision to leave the city. He wants to follow his true dream when he leaves the city about being a Hollywood star. This dream about being a Hollywood star can be compared with the weird fantasy about the free radio. Ramani has the inability that he can’t embrace reality and deal with failures.

Conclusion
This further encourages readers to trust and believe in teacher Sahib and understand the message being suggested that respecting and listening to the generally wise and experienced elderly is the correct path to safety. Also towards the end of the story "Maybe the views of the old can be discounted now, and if that's so , let it be." This martyr like sentence garners pity and sympathy readers have towards teacher Sahib who although tried his best could not save the foolish Ramani who refused to listen and heed warnings from him. This again emphasises the point of respecting the elderly. In conclusion, the free radio may seem simplistic in the story, a mere gift from the Government, but in reality it has been developed extensively. Through diction, sentence structure, and most importantly the use of the free radio as a symbol in moving the plot along , the free radio not only represents the delusional sentiments of Ramani , the wickedness of the widow but these symbols it takes on of escapism , achievement and loss , restriction of sex , delusion , deception all work together to emphasise the author's messages of importance of being realistic , wary of the consequences of ones actions, negligence of the opinions of the aged and most importantly the criticism of the government.