2. Alexander Jonathan Mr. Swatek’s English 7 June 29, 2016 “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” Literary Term: Setting The History Behind

3. Setting The setting is the time and place in which the story occurs. Rod Serling, who wrote the play “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” as an episode of his television show The Twilight Zone, chose 1950’s suburban America as his setting. In choosing this setting he was particularly interested in the political events of the times. Read more about Rod Serling at http://www.scifi.com/twilightzone

4. The Cold War During the 1950’s, two countries, the United States of America and the Soviet Union of Socialist Republics were in the middle of a “cold war.” Historian Burton I. Kaufman describes “The Cold War” as follows...

5. “The Cold War was characterized by mutual distrust, suspicion, and misunderstandings by both the United States and the Soviet Union, and their allies. At times, these conditions increased the likelihood of a third world war. The United States accused the Soviet Union of seeking to expand Communism throughout the world. The Soviets, meanwhile, charged the United States with practicing imperialism and with attempting to stop revolutionary activity in other countries.” Source: Burton I. Kaufman, "Cold War," World Book Online Americas Edition, http://www.worldbookonline.com/ar?/na/ar/co/ar122880.htmhttp://www.worldbookonline.com/ar?/na/ar/co/ar122880.htm, January 26, 2003.

6. What is Communism? Communism is “a theoretical economic system characterized by the collective ownership of property and by the organization of labor for the common advantage of all members.” Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=communismhttp://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=communism

7. What is Capitalism? Capitalism is “an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and development is proportionate to the accumulation and reinvestment of profits gained in a free market.” Source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=capitalismhttp://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=capitalism

8. McCarthyism “McCarthyism is a term for the widespread accusations and investigations of suspected Communist activities in the United States during the 1950's. The word came from the name of Senator Joseph R. McCarthy. McCarthy... made numerous charges—usually with little evidence—that certain public officials and other individuals were Communists or cooperated with Communists.... At the height of the Cold War, Americans began to suspect and accuse each other of being communists. According to historian Thomas Reeves,

9. The accusations and investigations spread quickly and affected thousands of people. Librarians, college professors, entertainers, journalists, clergy, and others came under suspicion. Some firms blacklisted (refused to hire) people accused of Communist associations. Many employees, to keep their jobs, were required to take oaths of loyalty to the government.” Source: Thomas C. Reeves, "McCarthyism," World Book Online Americas Edition, http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/ar?/na/ar/co/ar350785.htmhttp://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/ar?/na/ar/co/ar350785.htm, January 26, 2003.

10. Question 1 How does this statement relate to the plot and setting of Rod Serling’s play? What examples of McCarthyism can you find in “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street”? Thomas Reeves also notes that “Today, the term McCarthyism is sometimes used to refer to reckless public accusations of disloyalty to the United States.”

11. Question 2 working for the enemy. The Cold War ended in the 1990’s, when the Soviet economy failed. Even though “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” is set in the past, how might its themes relate to events in our society today? Can you think of any examples of McCarthyism since the 1950’s? McCarthyism and the “Red Scare” (named after the Soviet flag) eventually faded, but not before many American’s lives were ruined by accusations of

12. Works Cited Burton I. Kaufman, "Cold War," World Book Online Americas Edition, http://www.worldbookonline.com/ar?/na/ar/co/ar122880.htm, January 26, 2003. “Capitalism.” The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=capitalism “Communism.” The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=communism Thomas C. Reeves, "McCarthyism," World Book Online Americas Edition, http://www.aolsvc.worldbook.aol.com/ar?/na/ar/co/ar350785.htm, January 26, 2003. Image Sources http:// wire.ap.org/APpackages/20thcentury/photos/mccarthy.jpg http://www.artexasgallery.com/Artists/Erwin/images/ErwinHouseMapleMahon102.JPG http://www.heritage-flag.com/images/world/ussr.gif http://www.heritage-flag.com/images/world/unitedstates.gif http:// www.newgenevacenter.org/ portrait/mccarthy.jpg http://www.scifi.com/twilightzone