In the paper, a description of how an urban factory worker has bought a Victrola to play records that reminded him of music he grew up listening to is provided. Essentially, the narration can be interpreted in two distinctive ways. First, the purchase of Victrola is a sign of embracing modern technology. Understandably, the early 20th century was an era that saw the emergence of new technologies in American society. Notable modern inventions in that period included the Victrola, fast cars, and motion pictures. Although most people were skeptical to accept the innovations, there were a few individuals who readily welcomed them, in particular, the factory worker addressed.
One can interpret the factory worker’s idea of buying Victrola as a willingness to use modern technology to preserve the old ways or lifestyle. From the description, the factory employee bought the device to play the music that he listened to during his youth. The worker is feeling nostalgic and mourning the loss of the traditional social harmony and activities. The buyer represents conservative Americans who adhered firmly to their conventional beliefs, attitudes, culture, and norms. The new types of music were regarded as misleading, evil, and inappropriate. During the 1920s, the young Americans introduced new culture complemented by the latest technologies, and the older generation perceived the juniors as rebellious. For example, women wearing short skirts, maintaining bobbed hair, and young men using fast cars and listening to licentious music were perceived as an utter disregard for traditional norms. Hence, the purchase of Victrola is an indication of indifference to the new types of music and preference for the old music genres, which the senior generation believed to be the right kind of song.