Guided Notes 1
Using the description of the setting in lines 1-11, what does the author want the reader to understand about the situation and the characters?
The author wants the reader to understand that the events from the story could happen to anyone. Maple Street is in an average neighborhood filled with average people.
How have the characters shifted from a crowd to a mob? Find evidence to reinforce the idea of a mob.
The characters shift from a crowd of people trying to figure out what happened to the electricity to a mob of people trying to get the neighbor who may be the "alien."
(Evidence may vary.)
A young boy who loves science fiction stories.
Tommy
A type of literature meant to be performed by actors in front of an audience.
Drama
What is the difference between a play and a teleplay?
Plays are preformed by actors for a live audience. Teleplays are recorded for the TV.
What does the phrase "last calm and reflective moment" in line 34 tell the reader about what will occur later? (Bonus 200: What literary device is this?)
This phrase means everything will go out of control later in the story, and that nobody will stop and think things through. Pure chaos everywhere.
Why do the neighbors feel the need to keep an eye on the Goodmans' house?
They think that Les is an alien disguised as a human. They began to think this when his car started all by itself.
A hot-headed man who kills Pete Van Horn.
Charlie
What does the word flustered mean as used in the play?
A state of agitated confusion, or upset.
What does the word stampede mean as used in the play?
A sudden movement of a crowd of people.
What are Steve's feelings about Tommy's concerns in line 88? How do they change in line 94?
Steve does not believe Tommy at first. He begins to ask questions which tells the reader that he is slowly starting to believe him.
Read lines 307-312. Using Charlie's reactions and words as evidence, how do you think Charlie feels?
Charlie legitimately didn't mean to kill Pete Van Horn. He had seen the figure and out of fear shot at what he assumed was the alien. We can tell that he didn't mean it when the stage directions say "looks around at the circle of faces, his eyes frightened, his face contorted."
A reasonable man who tries to calm the mob.
Steve Brand
What does the word assent mean as used in the play?
To agree upon.
When a character says something (usually to another character).
Dialogue
In line 124, why would Tommy be both frightened and defiant?
What could be a theme for this story?
-Fear can turn human beings into monsters.
-Don't be quick to judge others.
-Fear leads to bad decisions.
The first person to be blamed; is the scapegoat.
Les Goodman
A state or feeling of excited or anxious uncertainty about what may happen.
Suspense
Feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader.
Mood
Based on what you understand from lines 130-133, describe the crowd around Tommy, Steve, and Charlie.
The crowd surrounds them and they are mad at Tommy for spreading rummors.
Look at lines 208-212 and how the crowd reacts to what the woman says about Les. What is ironic about this situation? (Hint: How does the woman know about Les' habits?)
In order for the woman to see Les stargazing, she must be up late at night and outside as well. It is ironic because she does the same thing as Les but the crowd does not react to her.
The true monster(s) of Maple Street.
Answers may vary.
What is it called when the author gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story?
Foreshadowing
When a character does or says something that is the opposite of what is expected. (Example: A firetruck that is on fire.)
Irony