Structure and narrator
Two stories in one
The plot of the novel alternates between two parallel stories that eventually merge into one: the riots on TV and Laura and John's controversy in their TV room.
Expectations. The author creates an expectation in the reader by describing the situation depicted in the short story as something special compared to an ordinary evening. The news that is shown this evening is not only serious, but of crucial importance:
The news is on - always a serious business, but tonight it is momentous (p. 8, l. 3).
Parallel stories
Fire. The image of the street riots becomes a parallel image to what is happening in the living room between Laura and John. John's physical discomfort and anger is...