46 pages • 1 hour read
Rod SerlingThe Monsters Are Due on Maple Street
Fiction | Play | YA | Published in 1960A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street," the peaceful residents of a suburban neighborhood are plunged into chaos after a sudden power outage following a mysterious overhead object. Suspicion and paranoia escalate when a boy suggests that aliens disguised as humans are among them, leading neighbors to turn against each other in a frenzy of fear and accusations, ultimately revealing the dangerous nature of human prejudice.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street by Rod Serling is lauded for its incisive exploration of paranoia and group dynamics. Critics praise its timeless social commentary and tight narrative. However, some note its heavy-handed messaging and limited character development. Overall, it remains a poignant, thought-provoking piece that resonates with contemporary audiences.
Who Should Read The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street?
Readers who savor speculative fiction with social commentary will appreciate Rod Serling's The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street. Fans of George Orwell's 1984 and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 will find its exploration of paranoia and human nature both compelling and thought-provoking.