Socratic Seminar Questions
Text: “The Monsters are Due on Maple Street” (Textbook 70-86)
What can I do in a seminar?
o Propose questions: “Lucia’s and Alan’s debate makes me wonder about…” OR “Can I ask everyone what they think about…?”
o Propose answers: “I think the answer to Gerry’s question is right here on page…”
o Propose interpretations: “We’ve been talking as those the two characters never met before. But if we assume they already knew each other, and then re-read their conversation, then it doesn’t sound hostile. It just sounds like they are teasing each other, like they’re good friends…”
o Propose a new way to discuss: “I think we are all remembering it differently. We should try not making any more comments until we’ve all taken a moment to re-read pages 4 and 5.”
o Propose connections: “This reminds me of that story we all read back in December…”
o Show the group outside evidence that you brought in to share: “I looked up the author last night and found this interview. Here’s a copy I printed out. It turns out that he also spent time in that same hospital in his own life…”
o Ask someone else to clarify what they already said or ask someone for more information: “Marcia, I really don’t understand why you think that part is so important. Can you explain again what inference you drew from that paragraph?”
o Pause to re-read the text, hunting for a clue: Short pauses and silences are a good sign in a Socratic Seminar…
Remember to back up your answers with evidence and page-number citations! Level 1
1. How can the residents of Maple Street tell that they are not experiencing a normal power outage? (72-3) 2. Is Tommy’s prediction about the aliens correct, incorrect, or a little of each? Where does Tommy seem to be getting his information from? (74-5) 3. What are some of the indications in Act I that Steve Brand is the most responsible and level-headed one? (71, 73, 75, 76) 4. What are some of the exchanges at the beginning of Act II that show that tensions are rising between Steve and Charlie? (80-82) 5. What are Charlie’s reasons for shooting before he identifies who is walking towards them? Are they convincing reasons? What reasons does he give afterwards, when he is trying to convince everyone to excuse him? (82-83) 6. After the crowd turns on Charlie, what is one thing he does that is sympathetic? What is one thing that he does that is unsympathetic? (84)
Level 2
1. What camera shot is repeated twice in this screenplay? What would be the purpose in repeating the same shot? Hint: It relates to the theme. (71, 85) 2. What is your impression of the aliens? If you were the director, what would you make them look like? How would you have them deliver their lines? (Robotic? Malicious? Calm? Gleeful? Professional?) How would the ending “feel” different depending on how the aliens spoke? Hint: Why does the screenplay refer to them as “Figure One and Two” instead of “Alien One and Two”? (85-86)
Level 3
1. Writers often speak through a particular character to voice their own opinions. Which character do you think reflects Rod Serling’s point of view? (Cite evidence—which character’s lines do you believe express Serling’s point of view?) 2. What does Les Goodman represent throughout the play? Does he seem like an oddball to you? Does his name have any deeper significance? (Cite evidence.) 3. What does Charlie represent throughout the play? (Cite evidence.) 4. Who are the “monsters”? (Cite evidence of monstrous appearance, actions, words, etc.) 5. This screenplay was written in 1960. Why was its message important then? Do you think it is still important today? Remember to back up your answers with evidence and page-number citations!