I. The story is about a married couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis, who receive a mysterious box containing a button. A man named Mr. Steward arrives and offers them $50,000 if they press the button, but someone unknown to them will die.
II. Norma is tempted by the money but Arthur thinks it is morally wrong. Norma ultimately presses the button. Shortly after, Arthur dies in an accident. Norma receives the $50,000 life insurance payout for Arthur, confirming the reality of the offer.
III. Filled with grief and suspicion, Norma confronts Mr. Steward, who hints at aspects of Arthur's character Norma may not have known
I. The story is about a married couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis, who receive a mysterious box containing a button. A man named Mr. Steward arrives and offers them $50,000 if they press the button, but someone unknown to them will die.
II. Norma is tempted by the money but Arthur thinks it is morally wrong. Norma ultimately presses the button. Shortly after, Arthur dies in an accident. Norma receives the $50,000 life insurance payout for Arthur, confirming the reality of the offer.
III. Filled with grief and suspicion, Norma confronts Mr. Steward, who hints at aspects of Arthur's character Norma may not have known
I. The story is about a married couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis, who receive a mysterious box containing a button. A man named Mr. Steward arrives and offers them $50,000 if they press the button, but someone unknown to them will die.
II. Norma is tempted by the money but Arthur thinks it is morally wrong. Norma ultimately presses the button. Shortly after, Arthur dies in an accident. Norma receives the $50,000 life insurance payout for Arthur, confirming the reality of the offer.
III. Filled with grief and suspicion, Norma confronts Mr. Steward, who hints at aspects of Arthur's character Norma may not have known
I. The story is about a married couple, Norma and Arthur Lewis, who receive a mysterious box containing a button. A man named Mr. Steward arrives and offers them $50,000 if they press the button, but someone unknown to them will die.
II. Norma is tempted by the money but Arthur thinks it is morally wrong. Norma ultimately presses the button. Shortly after, Arthur dies in an accident. Norma receives the $50,000 life insurance payout for Arthur, confirming the reality of the offer.
III. Filled with grief and suspicion, Norma confronts Mr. Steward, who hints at aspects of Arthur's character Norma may not have known
ABOUT THE AUTHOR RICHARD BURTON MATHESON (February 20, 1926 – June 23, 2013) was an American author and screenwriter, primarily in the fantasy, horror, and science fiction genres. Matheson received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 1984 and the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Horror Writers Association in 1991. The Science Fiction Hall of Fame inducted him in 2010. FAMOUS SHORT STORIES: The Shores of Space, Shock!, Nightmare at 20,000 Feet, Pride, By The Gun CHARACTERS I. Norma (A Greedy Woman who pushes the button to improve her lifestyle by getting $50,000.)
II. Arthur Lewis (A Person who prefers
morality an disagrees with his wife to kill even some unknown person.)
III.Mr. Steward (An employee of insurance
company who motivates Norma to push the button.) SUMMARY OF THE LESSON Norma and Arthur Lewis, a married couple, receive a mysterious box containing a button. Soon after, a man named Mr. Steward arrives at their door and offers them a deal. If they choose to press the button, they will receive $50,000, but someone they don't know will die. Norma is tempted by the opportunity to improve their financial situation, while Arthur considers it morally wrong and views it as murder. The couple debates the decision for several days. SUMMARY OF THE LESSON Norma ultimately decides to press the button, believing that she will not have to witness the death of the unknown person. However, shortly after she does so, Arthur dies in a train accident. Norma receives a life insurance payment of $50,000, confirming the reality of the offer. Filled with grief and suspicion, Norma confronts Mr. Steward, accusing him of deceit. In response, Mr. Steward questions whether Norma truly knew her husband, hinting at hidden aspects of Arthur's character. MESSAGE OF THE STORY The story raises moral dilemmas and explores the consequences of greed. It prompts readers to reflect on the choices they would make when faced with difficult decisions and the potential consequences that may follow. IMPORTANT WORDS Fastened Attached, Fixed, Clipped, Tacked Call on Visit Somebody, See Someone Hallway Porch, Corridor Politely Civilly, Gently, Respectfully, Courteously Repress Suppress, Restrain, Control Offensive Displeasing, Annoying, Vexing Valuable Useful, Handy, Beneficial Monetarily Financially IMPORTANT WORDS Frown Scowl, Glower, Dislike, Disapprove Hesitate Be reluctant, Be unwilling Stare Gaze, Goggle, Look Fixedly, Leer Surprised Astonished, Amazed, Startled, Astounded, Taken aback Embarrassed Confused, Upset, Agitated Curious Inquisitive, Eager, Interested IMPORTANT WORDS Intrigue Interest, Fascinate, Arouse someone’s curiosity, Attract Offend Annoy, Displease, Irritate, Anger Eccentric Odd, Queer, Strange, Crazy, Peculiar Turn off Switch off Impulsively Instinctively, Spontaneously, Hastily, Impetuously Hung up Disconnected Phone Restrain Control, Prevent, Hold back Scoff Mock, Jeer, Sneer, Scorn, Ridicule IMPORTANT WORDS Nonetheless However, Still, Yet, Nevertheless Proposition Plan, Proposal, Scheme Glare Stare, Look angrily Incredulous Doubtful, Distrustful, Suspicious Disgusted Offended, Fed up, Displeased Astounded Astonished, Surprised, Amazed Break in Interrupt, Interfere Shudder Tremble, Shiver, Quiver Offended Angry, Annoyed, Enraged Vaguely Unclearly, Unvividly, Obscurely IMPORTANT WORDS Dismay Fear, Panic, Terror, Horror Anxiety Worry, Concern, Nervousness Contemptuous Scornful,Disdainful,Hateful Indemnity Compensation, Redress Numbly Confounded, Impassively Whirl Circle, Spin Stumble Stagger, Trip, Wobble, Lose one’s balance Important Questions 1. Why did Norma consider the tone and attitude of Mr. Steward offensive? (2) 2. What is the significance of Arthur’s life insurance policy? (2) 3. What were the reasons Norma gave to her husband to accept the offer? 4. What was the message Norma received on pushing the button? (4) 5. Why did Arthur disagree with his wife? (3) 6. On which place was the package lying? 7. What sort of person is Norma? 8. Why did Steward continue persuading Norma? Important Punctuation Paragraph mr steward looked embarrassed i m afraid i m not at liberty to tell you that he said however i assure you the organization is of international scope
Mr. Steward looked embarrassed. “I’m afraid
I’m not at liberty to tell you that,” he said. “However, I assure you, that the organization is of international scope.”