Exploring the Cold War Through the Twilight Zone

True/False Questions on “Exploring the Cold War through The Twilight Zone”

1. Military conflict during the CW was more threat than actuality. 2. Popular culture played a small role in CW propaganda. 3. Film and television eventually became more critical of the CW. 4. Science fiction in television was taken more seriously by censors and critics. 5. The audience for The Twilight Zone was relatively young. 6. TTZ was influenced by events like the Cuban Missile Crisis. 7. Certain episodes addressed specific concerns of the Cold War. 8. Popular culture and history occur in a vacuum. 9. Popularity of a TV show reflects the “zeitgeist” of the time period. 10. Susan Sontag suggests that fantasy helps people cope with reality and anxiety. 11. TTZ uses allegorical characters and situations. 12. TTZ accidentally commented upon pertinent issues of the time. 13. The episode “The Shelter” is a warning against complacency and denial. 14. Episodes were sometimes inspired by real events. 15. “The Shelter” suggests that people should fear nuclear annihilation more than they should fear one another. 16. “Third from the Sun” addresses the foreboding and fear in society at that time. 17. In “Third from the Sun” characters use the phrase “the enemy” as a euphemism for Communist countries. 18. “Third from the Sun” suggests that only one side can be a winner in the Cold War. 19. The eavesdropping in “Third from the Sun” ties into issues associated with McCarthyism. 20.The episode “Two” questions the portrayal of “good guys” and “bad guys.” 21. “Two” critiques the “us against them” narrative. 22.McCarthyism has little to do with the episode “The Monsters are due on Maple Street.” 23.“The Monsters…” suggests that the enemy is rarely within. 24.“The Monsters…” is an allegory for the Cold War era of McCarthyism. 25. The dichotomy between internal and external threats is seen in “The Monsters….” 26.“Four O’Clock” alludes to the fanaticism inherent in McCarthyism. 27.References in TTZ speak directly to preoccupations, fears, and anxieties of its audience. 28.The fantasy/science fiction genre of the show brought about a great deal of censorship. 29.TTZ directly challenged the validity and effect of Cold War propaganda. 30.TTZ addressed the context of fear and suspicion that perhaps posed a greater threat than the possibility of actual war.