The Monsters Are Due on

Maple StreetBy Rod Serling

(creator of “The Twilight Zone”)

http://www.entertonement.com/clips/kpmgdzqllc--The-Twilight-Zone-Theme-SongThe-Twilight-Zone-The-Twilight-Zone-Season-1-The-Twilight-Zone-1x1-_-

Drama A drama is a story that is written to be

acted for an audience. The action of a drama is usually driven by

the characters who want something very much and take steps to get it.

The related events that take place are separated into acts.

Elements of Drama Exposition (narrator gives

setting, characters, background) Complications (problems) and

Conflicts Climax (occurs in 3rd act when

protagonist has a change for better or worse)

Denouement (Resolution) – protagonist is better off or worse off

The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street was an episode featured on

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=p5GP5uztjkE&vq=medium

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=p5GP5uztjkE&vq=medium

Writer Rod Serling Rod Serling created and

wrote episodes for “The Twilight Zone” including The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street.

In these episodes, Serling made his concerns and beliefs visible.

As we read Monsters, think about what Serling’s message (theme) might be.

Directions: Look through pages 835-856. What do you think the setting of the story is?

Time _____________ Place ____________

What words come to mind when you think of the word MONSTER?

MONSTER

Directions Make a list of 4 words that come to mind when you think of the word monster Draw a picture in the box on your paper of what you think a monster looks like

Teleplay Terms(a teleplay is a script written for television)

Fade in: the picture gradually appears on the screen

Pan: a swiveling movement of the camera, from one side to the other

Fade to black: the picture gradually disappears until all that remains is a black screen

Cut to: a sudden change from one scene or character to another

Teleplay Terms Continued

Outside shot: camera shot of an exterior. Long shot: a camera shot from far off. Close-up: a camera shot that is very close

to its subject Opening shot: the first scene of the

production Dissolve: a new scene is blended with a

scene that is fading out.

History ConnectionThe Monsters Are Due on Maple Street

1950s in the United States 1950: Korean War, 1st organ transplant 1951: 1st color TV, Elizabeth becomes Queen

of England 1952: seat belts made for cars 1953: DNA discovered 1954: 1st atomic submarine 1955: Disneyland opens

Characters Narrator Figure One Figure Two Steve Brand Mrs. Brand Don Martin Pete Van Horn Man one Man two

Charlie Charlie’s wife Tommy Sally (Tommy’s mom) Les Goodman Mrs. Goodman Woman Next Door Woman one

Rod Serling’s Epilogue in The Monsters Are Due on Maple

Street

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=3ZTe4SJnxPc&vq=mediumhttp://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=3ZTe4SJnxPc&vq=medium

Notes on THEMEThe author’s message that he/she tries to

communicate/express to the reader. Usually the author’s theme has to do with a “truth about life” and what it means to be human.

A work’s theme is not usually stated directly. You have to think about the elements of the work (characters, conflict, resolution, setting, etc.) to understand the theme.