Im really interested in the way radio listening allows for vivid mental imagery and narratives. Audiobooks mixed with music such as the flickerman episode specifically allow for a wide range of sonic momentum, changing paces within the story with the supporting music to create tension and suspense. I think the formation of tension and suspense is vital in the creation of the flickerman episode where it is integral to the stories overall themes.
“Touching the Elephant” also uses detailed description. The idea of interviewing blind individuals creates a similarity between the audience and interviewee where a visual element cannot be projected for both. I think it is interesting to see how memory is for the audience to recall what an elephant looks like, showing that radio can be used to help the listener remember certain events through sound.
There is also a level of enigma when there is no visual element, accentuating all sonic elements. “Delia Derbyshire / Barry Bermange – Inventions For Radio No 1 – The Dreams” makes full use of this, creating an eerie fear of the unknown. There is also a sense of momentum and story, slowly developing as the piece moves forward. The multiple descriptions create a deep sense of vivid mental imagery, especially because you do not know what it is. The repetition of the word “running” further enhances the momentum of the piece.