THE MONSTERS (for Thursday 21 May 2009)

THE MONSTERS ARE DUE ON MAPLE STREET

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See this teleplay in three segments (1, 2, 3), then be prepared to engage in a four-member group discussion (to be chosen in class). It is well known that Rod Serling created The Twlight Zone series in order to dramatize social issues without censorship, because under the guise of sci-fi or fantasy. Discuss the social issues involved in this show. Address all issues you consider relevant, including personal examples from your own experience or knowledge, while not losing focus on the story itself. Try to make use of the vocabulary below.

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glider=porch swing
ice cream vendor=ice cream street seller
for my money=for my value (to my thinking)
reflective (moment)=thinking
meteor=rock from outer space
run a check=do a check
bum (jokes)=bad (jokes)
same deal=same thing
no dice=no good
power=electricity
electrical storm=thunder storm
portable=lightweight, battery-operated
flustered=confused, puzzled
take a run (downtown)=go
get it straightened out=make sense of it
oddball=strange person
a mob=irrational group of people
raise Cain=cause trouble (biblical)
keep your distance=keep away
freak thing=odd thing
monster kick=monster obsession
general impression=first impression
vast beyond=outer space
practical joke=silly joke
incriminate=blame
weird=odd, unusual
in the wee hours=early hours
insomnia=sleeplessness
frightened rabbits=scared people
legitimate=correct, right, proper
the dark ages=age before enlightenment
above suspicion=above blame
tip their hand=give away (a clue)
hanging judge=prejudiced judge
idiosyncracy=oddity
kangaroo court=mob trial
firing squad=execution team
dense=heavy, thick, stupid
ham radio set=homemade radio
(search) warrant=legal permission to search
menace=threat
(pulling a) gag=joke
conquest=victory
prejudices=unexamined beliefs
fallout=(bad) consequences
scapegoat=arbitrary victim

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