Rod Serling's 'The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street'

“There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices-to be found only in the minds of men.” This is the message that Rod Serling tried to convey to fans of The Twilight Zone through an episode called “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street.” The episode first aired in 1960, and a new version was made in 2003 called “The Monsters on Maple Street.” In the original, the power goes out because of a meteor and avid comic book reader Tommy convinces the whole street that there are aliens among them, except for voice of reason Steve Brand. In the remake, an entire street becomes fearful of terrorists after a power outage following an orange alert, except for Will Marshall, who believes the hysteria is crazy. Both versions prove that fear of the unknown can cause people to

I crouch down and follow the foot track, squinting as the night goes on and the world becomes darker. I here a snap and turn around to see Ralph. He laughed and puts his hands in surrender. “I’m not such a excellent hider am I?” he walks up to me, but my adrenaline is still running and I pounce on him, causing him to release his hunting knife

The idea of what a monster is and how it pertains to modern day society has fascinated readers and writers for decades. Before taking this class, I was aware of what a monster is and the function it served in today’s society. Furthermore, after taking this class, I am now aware of what a monster truly is, and what really separates a monster from a regular person. The piece of text that I mainly chose to focus on and elaborate closely to demonstrate the aspects of a monster is appropriately named, Monster, by Walter Dean Myers. The reason I chose this piece of literature is because, Monster thoroughly elaborates what a monster is in todays society and how it functions in the modern day world. In this essay I will elaborate on

Imagine the punches, the kicks, the smashing on the table, just to realize the character traits can change everything. Monster by Walter Dean Myers evolves on the fact that being tough is key within life. Steve Harmon, 16 year old boy, black male, is being accused of felony murder. A court case involving James King and Steve Harmon is taking place to see who is not guilty. Steve writes in his journal of the experiences in jail. Through Steve’s writing it is clear that one must be strong and avoid showing weakness.

Judgment is a fundamental function of the human brain. On a daily basis one judges their peers for their actions, whether it be good or bad. In the novel, Monster by Walter Dean Myers, a young boy named Steve Harmon is put on trial for felony murder; he shares his experiences of what is going on throughout the case and how he is being perceived by his peers. The jury has to make a decision, marking Harmon guilty or not guilty. The jury must make a judgment about him, about who he is. Evidently, it is revealed that judgment is determined by one’s traits, actions, and appearance.

“You okay in there?” concern for his well being this is a trip he thinks to himself. Keeping me hostage feeding him and taking care of his wounds but not revealing themselves. Hunter just shakes his head and replies.

You know, check the place out -make sure ain’t no badges copping z’s in the back. You down for it?” (Myers 150) But when Steve is being asked about his familiarity of James King, he responses with “I know him from the neighborhood” and how he spoke to King “Once in awhile”. Isn’t it very strange for King to ask a kid, who he isn’t close with to take part in criminal activity?

In “The Monster” by Walter Dean Myers, there are many things in prison that most affects Steve Harmon which can cause him to change. First, within the prison, is said that all they talk about is drugs and sex. This is important because it affects Steve because he has nothing to do with that and now knows what it is like which could change him to be like that. Also, in that terrible place they call jail there are many fights that occur in it. For example, Steve Harmon mentions in the story that someone was hit in the face with a tray during breakfast. This shows that Steve hates fights and does not want to be in any. This affects him because of he in jail with a bunch of grown men which start the fights. Finally, prison is a place where Steve

Do you believe in monsters? Well, these people do. There are people in this world who blame others for being the monsters while they themselves are the actual monsters. In the story "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street." The People are the monsters they cannot even trust the people they have known for years.

“In “The Monsters are due on Maple Street” an important theme is sometimes your fear leads you to look for a scapegoat in any given

The theme begins to appear in the story when the “Meteor” lands and Tommy introduces the idea that there are aliens and that one of the people in the neighborhood may be one of them. At this point in time, everyone starts thinking that everyone else is an alien. They start by thinking that Les Goodman is an alien, then Steve, then Charlie.

"Get out nice and slow and no one will get hurt." She instructs, shoving the gun in the middle of his back.

Rod Serling’s message to the readers of “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” is Don’t judge people off little evidence or fear. The theme begins to become apparent in the story when everything stops working, as people start to notice they get flustered. In the text Tommy says, “ In all the alien books I read they always send someone down before to prepare for landing and they look just like humans,” in response suspicions rise and everyone is high alert. In the text it says, “That Les Goodman’s car was not starting and when he finally gave up and went to the people on the street the car started by itself.” This shows that nothing was working, but his car making the Goodmans look bad and that they were the family sent first because their

“But you see, I already have. I’ve already got Georg’s fingerprints on the gun. All I have to do is leave it by his hands,” said Alexander.

Then, a figure covered in black sneaked into the room. Nobody noticed him, until he held a gun to Aunt Mildred’s