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Explanation:
In the Twilight Zone episode “The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street", the neighbors on Maple Street were out performing their everyday duties when suddenly an unknown flew across the sky above. Based on rumors, the object was supposed to be some type of foreign media from out of space. After the strange object 's appearance, weird things started happening on Maple Street: several homes were without electricity, car engines would no longer start, and several other unusual activities were observed. As a result of the chaos, a neighborhood meeting was called to give the residents of Maple Street and opportunity to choice their concerns about all the recent activity. As a community, the residents attempted to come up with a solution to the problems. However, no resolution could be determined; moreover, no justification was uncovered to explain the mysterious events that were taking place in the neighborhood.
Answer: **“The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street”**
Rod Serling’s teleplay, “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street,” depicts a seemingly idyllic afternoon on Maple Street, where tree-lined paths are adorned with front porch swings, children engage in hopscotch, and neighbors share friendly exchanges amid laughter. However, at precisely 6:43, a thunderous noise shatters the tranquility. Tommy, a 14-year-old resident, urges the neighbors to remain indoors and stay vigilant. As the lights flicker and darkness creeps in, vehicles inexplicably stop working, followed by a sudden silence from the radios. The community’s initial bewilderment rapidly escalates into sheer panic, revealing that all is not well in this peaceful neighborhood. The true monsters here are the residents themselves.
To start, shadowy figures manipulate the neighborhood dynamics, inciting distrust among neighbors and pitting them against one another. In the words of the figures, “Their world is full of Maple Streets. And we’ll go from one to the other and let them destroy themselves. One to the other… one to the other… one to the other…” (Serling 17). This statement reveals their intention to observe the downfall of communities like Maple Street, illustrating how the people’s actions will lead to their own destruction.
As tensions rise, the neighbors quickly transform into an enraged mob, casting blame upon one another with little justification or proof. The author observes, “In this brief fraction of a moment, they take their first step toward performing a metamorphosis that changes people from a group into a mob” (Serling 7). This indicates that, within moments, the once-cohesive group devolves into a frenzied crowd, desperately seeking answers. Throughout pages 15 to 17, the characters engage in a back-and-forth blame game, insisting that each is at fault while dismissing any accountability for themselves.
In conclusion, the true threat on Maple Street comes from the neighbors themselves. In their frantic search for answers amidst confusion and fear, they are on the verge of self-destruction. Their lack of rational thought and evidence drives them to find a scapegoat quickly. This panic transforms the community into a battleground, highlighting a critical lesson: always be wary of danger, even in familiar surroundings.
