High School

What does the author's use of dialogue reveal about Steve in "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"?

Answer :

Final answer:

The author's minimalist and dialogue-led approach in 'The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street' provides insights into Steve's character through what he says and doesn't say, revealing traits and relationships while increasing the tension within the narrative.

Explanation:

The author's use of dialogue in 'The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street' reveals significant aspects of Steve's character. Instead of offering descriptive narration that tells us about Steve's emotions or thoughts, the text provides his character's portrayal through the spoken words and the interactions he has with others. This manner of writing necessitates that readers infer Steve's personality and motivations from what is said—or just as importantly, what is left unsaid—during conversations.

Good dialogue often demonstrates character traits or relationships, and this can be observed in the play. From reading Steve's interactions, one might infer whether he's dealing with an internal conflict, how he feels about the other characters, or whether he's a leader or follower within the group. The dialogue establishes his role within the plot and often increases the tension, which subsequently defines the underlying conflicts within the story.

By choosing this minimalist and dialogue-led approach, the author leaves much to the audience's interpretation, creating a sense of uncertainty that helps convey the play's themes of paranoia and fear. Overall, through Steve's dialogue, the reader can get a glimpse of the anxieties and dynamics that propel the story's progression and its comment on human nature.