Character Knowledge
Which neighbor is killed, and by whom?
Pete Van Horn is killed by Charlie.
After a “meteor” flies overhead, what strange occurrences do the neighbors notice?
All of the power -- electricity, phones, radios, cars, etc. -- stops working.
Identify the setting - When & where
Maple Street, U.S.A.
A late summer evening
What emotions lead to Pete being shot?
Fear, paranoia, panic
"It's always that way, in every story I ever read about a ship landing from outer space... They sent four people. A mother and a father and two kids who looked just like humans... but they weren't."
Tommy
Why doesn’t Tommy want Steve and Charlie to go downtown?
He believes that aliens caused the power to go out in order to prevent the people from leaving.
Arrange the following events in order of how they happened:
1. Les Goodman's car starts by itself.
2. Pete Van Horn is shot.
3. Tommy tells the neighbors the plot of a comic book he read.
4. Steve cautions against becoming a mob.
3, 1, 4, 2
Describe the setting at the beginning of the play.
Maple Street is a typical small American town, where everyone knows everyone. Neighbors sit outside on their porch swings talking to one another, and children play and buy ice cream.
Which of the following is a metamorphosis that occurs in the story?
A. Tommy makes the story from a comic book become a reality.
B. The neighbors transform from nice, peaceful people to an accusing, violent mob.
C. Two aliens materialize in a nearby field.
D. Les’s car starts by itself.
B
"Wait a minute... wait a minute! Let's not be a mob!"
Steve
Name three reasons why Les Goodman is suspected by his neighbors.
1. His car starts when no one else's does.
2. He has been seen looking at the sky at night.
3. He did not come outside when the "meteor" passed.
Which of these events does NOT happen in the play?
A. Les is found to be a monster from outer space.
B. The neighbors transform from nice, peaceful people to an accusing, violent mob.
C. Don takes the mob to the next level of violence by grabbing a shotgun.
D. Charlie makes Tommy into a scapegoat.
A
What kind of mood does the setting create in the beginning of the play?
The mood is peaceful, calm, and ordinary
What are the “real weapons” used to destroy Maple Street?
Thoughts, attitudes, and prejudices
"Now that's supposed to incriminate me, huh? The car engine goes on and off and that really does it, doesn't it? I just don't understand it...any more than any of you do!"
Les Goodman
Which of these characters does NOT match the description with which they are paired?
A. Steve Brand - Leader
B. Don Martin - Sentry
C. Les Goodman - Scapegoat
D. Charlie - Instigator
B
What/who really caused the strange occurrences on Maple Street?
Two "Figures"/aliens from outer space.
What does it mean that, “Their world was full of Maple Streets?”
The outcome of the story would have been the same no matter where the story took place.
Name two big ideas in the story
Answers include: fear, blame, community, herd behavior, suspicion
"I know who the monster is here. I know who it is that doesn't belong. I swear to you I know... It's... It's... It's... it's the kid. It's Tommy. He's the one!"
Charlie
Why does Charlie blame Tommy towards the end of the play?
Charlie needs a scapegoat to get the blame away from himself.
How does Charlie react when Steve tries to get the group to listen to reason?
Charlie begins to accuse Steve.
Why did the author choose this setting? (Think of how it contributes to theme.)
To show that this could happen anywhere -- it is human nature.
Identify a theme in the story.
Answers will vary :)
([He] joins them, carrying a shotgun. He holds it up.) "We may need this."
Don