Button Button
Maple Street
Characters
Themes and Messages
Literary Elements
100

What object arrives in a box at Norma and Arthur’s home?

A box with a button inside

100

What event causes the strange happenings on Maple Street to begin?

A Power Outage

100

Which character becomes increasingly tempted by the money in "Button, Button"?

Norma Lewis

100

What do we call the desire for money despite moral consequences?

Greed

100

What genre do both stories belong to that mixes science fiction with moral lessons?

Science Fiction

200

Who delivers the button box and explains the rules?

Mr. Steward

200

What stops working throughout the neighborhood?

Electricity and vehicles

200

Which character is cautious and uncomfortable with pressing the button?

Arthur Lewis

200

Maple Street shows fear can destroy what between neighbors?

Trust (community)

200

The button representing temptation is an example of what literary technique?

Symbolism

300

How much money are Norma and Arthur promised if the button is pressed?

$50,000

300

Which young boy suggests aliens might be responsible?

Tommy

300

Who tries to stay logical and calm early in Maple Street?

Steve Brand

300

Both stories warn about consequences of people’s what?

Choices or actions

300

What is tension created through mystery and uncertainty called?

Suspense

400

What happens after Norma presses the button?

Arthur dies in an accident

400

What do the neighbors begin doing to each other as fear spreads?

Accusing or blaming each other. 

400

Which nervous neighbor shoots Pete Van Horn?

Charlie

400

The real "monsters" are humans showing what type of behavior?

Fear or Mob Mentality

400

What literary device occurs when the outcome is opposite of expectations?

Irony

500

What is Arthur revealed to be to Norma at the end of the story?

A stranger (or someone she doesn't truly know)

500

According to the aliens, what emotion causes humans to destroy themselves?

Fear

500

Who serves as the mysterious tester of the couple’s morality in Button, Button?

Mr. Steward
500

What powerful emotion strongly influences people in both stories?

Fear and/or Curiosity 

500

What do we call hints about future events in a story?

Foreshadowing