This week, we are finishing up reading and performing "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street," an episode from the 1950s-1960s science fiction television series. The students will be working on their essays, comparing and contrasting 2 characters' reactions to the events on Maple Street and analyzing how those characters' reactions send the author's message about fear.
Once finished with their draft, students will be able to explore the historical context in which The Twilight Zone was written.
-Check out this blog, which provides commentary of the reasons why Serling chose to write what
he did.
-This video and transcript give some more detail about his inspiration.
-And here's how The Twilight Zone reflected the 1950s.
-Or, if you are curious about Rod Serling himself, here is his biography
Students will explore these resources and create a list of 10 things they learned. Then, they must answer:
-What are the recurring themes in Rod Serling's work?
-How does Rod Serling use/change history to send his message? Why does he make these
changes?
-If Rod Serling were still creating episodes today, what issue might he make an episode about?
How might he mask the real issue?