The Portable Phonograph By Walter Van Tilburg Clark

The threat of a nuclear war has always been exceptionally real, especially considering the current state of society. When a nuclear war does occur, it will subsequently throw the majority of society into a world of starvation, sickness, depression and chaos. The short story “The Portable Phonograph” by Walter Van Tilburg Clark focuses on four men who are inhabiting an area substantially impacted by a nuclear war. Their lives have been forever altered and the struggle to survive in a world of heartbreak and ruin proves to be extremely exhausting. The article “How to Survive Nuclear Winter” by James Roberts provides crucial information on the environment and the resources needed to survive in it during a nuclear winter. By comparing the short

During nuclear winters temperatures drop immensely as the sun has difficulty breaking through the stratosphere filled with dust and ash “[creating a wall between the earth and sun” (Roberts, 2007, p.1). This explains why the men encounter eminently cold conditions where “a man’s breath blew white… [and] a man could not live for three hours unwarmed” (Clark, 1941, p.178). Subsequently, the inhospitable weather along with extreme ultraviolet radiation, and the lack of medical supplies will cause illness to run rampant in a nuclear environment, demonstrated by the deteriorating health of the young male in the story. Many, if not all buildings and structures will be either damaged or destroyed by destructive explosions and in the story, that proves to be true because there was “no structure or remnant of a structure visible” (Clark, 1941, p.177). Nuclear winter is an exceptionally perilous occurrence causing chilling temperatures and unsafe conditions, but it is survivable with proper preparation and

Following nuclear detonations, large amounts of ash and dust settle into the stratosphere “creating a wall between the earth and sun” (Roberts, 2007, pg.1), subsequently causing temperatures to notably decrease. To survive the hazardous weather it is recommended for people to have several layers of clothing able to cover the entire body stored in advance for warmth and protection. The article “How to Survive Nuclear Winter” discusses that many scientists have “hypothesized that the ozone could be depleted greatly, leading to a huge increase in dangerous UV radiation” (Roberts, 2007, p.2) meaning that head to toe clothing is also useful in protecting the body from hazardous radiation. The longstanding winter weather will severely impact the ability to grow food anywhere due to limited and unpredictable amounts of sunlight and precipitation. Consequently, storing “significant amount[s] of non perishable food and water” (Roberts, 2007, p.3) and finding alternative ways to grow or produce food is vital. Therefore, having emergency heating supplies such as firewood or surplus amounts of fuel is also essential in beating the cold and obtaining ways to cook and prepare food. Although safety, shelter and food are the main priorities for surviving, possessing personal items is critical because under harsh circumstances, they give