Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the setting of the story?
What is the setting of the story?
Maple Street
What are the first signs that something strange is going on on Maple Street?
What are the first signs that something strange is going on on Maple Street?
Phones, portable radios, and cars aren't working
What is Tommy's explanation for what is happening?
What is Tommy's explanation for what is happening?
He said it is aliens
What first causes neighbors to suspect that Les Goodman is from outer space?
What first causes neighbors to suspect that Les Goodman is from outer space?
What happens that temporarily turns the neighbors away from their conflict among themselves?
What happens that temporarily turns the neighbors away from their conflict among themselves?
Whom or what does Charlie shoot with the shotgun and why does he shoot?
Whom or what does Charlie shoot with the shotgun and why does he shoot?
According to the narrator, what is as destructive as bombs and fallout?
According to the narrator, what is as destructive as bombs and fallout?
What qualities in Les Goodman and Steve Brand cause people to become suspicious of them?
What qualities in Les Goodman and Steve Brand cause people to become suspicious of them?
What do the crowd's accusations suggest about how clearly they were thinking?
What do the crowd's accusations suggest about how clearly they were thinking?
How does fear contribute to Maple Street?
How does fear contribute to Maple Street?
What is the real cause of the strange occurrences on Maple Street?
What is the real cause of the strange occurrences on Maple Street?
Why does the community turn into an angry and suspicious mob?
Why does the community turn into an angry and suspicious mob?
What part of the story is it when inhabitants notice a 'meteor' like object fly overhead and afterwards all electronics go dead?
What part of the story is it when inhabitants notice a 'meteor' like object fly overhead and afterwards all electronics go dead?
What part of the story involves Tommy telling a story about aliens arriving from outer space?
What part of the story involves Tommy telling a story about aliens arriving from outer space?
What part of the story describes Pete Van Horn leaving to check the next block and Mr. Goodman's car mysteriously starting?
What part of the story describes Pete Van Horn leaving to check the next block and Mr. Goodman's car mysteriously starting?
What part of the story features the mob seeing a figure and Charlie accidentally shooting Van Horn?
What part of the story features the mob seeing a figure and Charlie accidentally shooting Van Horn?
What part of the story includes Charlie screaming that the real alien is Tommy?
What part of the story includes Charlie screaming that the real alien is Tommy?
What part of the story shows that aliens watched over the town and that human nature destroyed the inhabitants?
What part of the story shows that aliens watched over the town and that human nature destroyed the inhabitants?
What type of conflict illustrates Steve's logical approach against mob mentality?
What type of conflict illustrates Steve's logical approach against mob mentality?
What type of conflict is showcased when Charlie's inability to control his fears leads to violence?
What type of conflict is showcased when Charlie's inability to control his fears leads to violence?
What type of conflict is evident when neighbors turn against each other due to paranoia?
What type of conflict is evident when neighbors turn against each other due to paranoia?
What kind of theme is reflected in the neighbors turning on each other due to fear and suspicion?
What kind of theme is reflected in the neighbors turning on each other due to fear and suspicion?
What is the theme of the story?
What is the theme of the story?
What point of view is this story written in?
What point of view is this story written in?
What is the setting of the screenplay?
What is the setting of the screenplay?
What is the real cause of the power fluctuations on Maple Street?
What is the real cause of the power fluctuations on Maple Street?
What is the fifth dimension?
What is the fifth dimension?
Who was the first person to suggest that aliens were creating the power fluctuations?
Who was the first person to suggest that aliens were creating the power fluctuations?
What did the aliens comment about the Earthlings?
What did the aliens comment about the Earthlings?
What young boy introduces the idea of 'monsters' from his science fiction book?
What young boy introduces the idea of 'monsters' from his science fiction book?
Who is the first man accused of causing the blackout, having his car turn on and off by itself?
Who is the first man accused of causing the blackout, having his car turn on and off by itself?
Who is the man who went to check if the street over still had power and was shot by Charlie?
Who is the man who went to check if the street over still had power and was shot by Charlie?
Who is the second man accused of being the 'monster' since he has a radio no one has seen before?
Who is the second man accused of being the 'monster' since he has a radio no one has seen before?
Who is the most paranoid man accused of being the 'monster' since his lights turned on in his house?
Who is the most paranoid man accused of being the 'monster' since his lights turned on in his house?
What is a comparison without using like or as known as?
What is a comparison without using like or as known as?
What is a comparison using like or as known as?
What is a comparison using like or as known as?
What is an example of a simile?
What is an example of a simile?
What is it called when the spelling of a word mimics the sound it makes?
What is it called when the spelling of a word mimics the sound it makes?
What is it called when something is given human-like qualities?
What is it called when something is given human-like qualities?
What is an adjective that means nervous or confused?
What is an adjective that means nervous or confused?
What is a noun that means change of form?
What is a noun that means change of form?
What is an adjective that means boldly resisting?
What is an adjective that means boldly resisting?
What is an adverb that means as if lacking energy?
What is an adverb that means as if lacking energy?
What is an adverb that means firmly and steadily?
What is an adverb that means firmly and steadily?
Study Notes
Setting and Initial Signs
- The story takes place on Maple Street, a quiet suburban neighborhood.
- Electronics such as phones, radios, and cars stop working, signaling something strange is happening.
Characters and Conflict
- Tommy proposes the idea that aliens are responsible for the occurrences.
- Les Goodman becomes suspect when his car inexplicably starts on its own.
- A figure appears, temporarily distracting the neighbors from their conflicts.
- Charlie accidentally shoots Pete Van Horn, mistaking him for an alien.
Themes and Messages
- Prejudice and suspicion are highlighted as equally destructive forces as bombs.
- The juxtaposition of good neighbors turning into a mob emphasizes the theme of fear and paranoia.
- The central theme indicates that appearances can be deceptive and warns against judging others without evidence.
Story Structure
- Exposition establishes the normalcy of Maple Street before disturbance.
- Conflict arises when Tommy's story about aliens influences the community's paranoia.
- Rising action includes escalating accusations and the build-up to violence.
- Climax occurs when Charlie shoots Van Horn, revealing the height of chaos and mistrust.
- Falling action shows the culmination of hysteria, turning suspicion towards Tommy.
- Resolution reveals that humans' irrational fears, not aliens, are the real monsters.
Conflicts
- Man vs. Society: Steve Brand maintains rationality against societal hysteria.
- Man vs. Self: Charlie grapples with his own fears, leading to tragic decisions.
- Man vs. Man: Paranoia drives neighbors to turn on each other over unfounded accusations.
Literary Techniques
- Metaphor: Compares Maple Street to an asylum, highlighting chaos.
- Similes: Used to enhance descriptions, such as comparing gaping mouths to fish.
- Onomatopoeia: Employs sound imitation, like "whoosh" for dramatic effect.
- Personification: Attributes human qualities to concepts, like prejudice being "dull" and "blind."
Key Characters
- Tommy: Young boy who introduces the idea of aliens and escalates paranoia.
- Les Goodman: Accused because of his car's strange behavior.
- Pete Van Horn: Shot upon returning, his actions misinterpreted by the mob.
- Steve Brand: Logical voice in the chaos, representing reason amidst panic.
- Charlie: Represents the most paranoid individual, exemplifying the dangers of fear.
Important Quotes and Definitions
- Flustered: Describes the state of nervousness or confusion among neighbors.
- Metamorphosis: Indicates a change of form or nature, reflecting societal transformation.
- Defiant: Describes attitudes of characters resisting the mob mentality.
Conclusions
- The story illustrates how fear and suspicion transform a peaceful community into chaos.
- It serves as a commentary on human nature, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and understanding among individuals.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of 'The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street' with these flashcards. Explore the setting, unusual occurrences, and character theories that unfold in this intriguing tale. Perfect for anyone studying this classic story!
