In his masterpiece book, McCarthyism, The Great American Red Scare: A Documentary History, Fried posits that McCarthyism is “a political attitude…characterized by the use of tactics involving personal attacks on individuals by means of widely publicized indiscriminate allegations, especially on the basis of unsubstantiated charges” (2).ĭuring this time, Americans rose against communism by using fear campaigns. The most outstanding social issue of the 1960s was McCarthyism. In addition, the narrative underscores the fact that people love blaming others for their problems, which highlights irresponsibility. Steve is also accused of making a mysterious radio, while Charlie shoots Pete. Due to prejudice, people come up with unsubstantiated accusations towards Les Goodman. For instance, Les Goodman is being accused because his car has somehow self-ignited and even though he does not know what has happened, the crowd holds that he is an alien, yet they have been with him for a long time.
The narrative highlights how people can destroy themselves based on prejudices, suspicion, fear, and thoughtlessness. And the pity of it is that these things cannot be confined to the twilight zone ( The Monsters are Due on Maple Street). For the record: prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy and a thoughtless frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own - for the children and the children yet unborn. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, and prejudices to be found only in the minds of men. The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs, explosions, and fallout.
Rob Sterling summarizes his message in few words by saying The narrative’s message is clear that people are their worst enemies. This paper addresses the message of the narrative by exploring the social problems of the 1960s coupled with addressing such problems in the contemporary times. Steve, the only rational person in the melee, becomes a victim of the growing witch hand. Les Goodman is incriminated of being an alien as the residents of the Maple Street try to establish what has exactly happened. In the ensuing confusion, individuals turn on each other with accusations of all sorts.
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