VISIT TO SMALL PLANET

 Visit to a Small Planet

SCENE

Stock Shot: The night sky, stars. Then slowly a luminous object arcs into view. As it is almost upon us, dissolves into the living room of the Spelding house in Maryland.

Superimpose Card: "THE TIME: THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW"

The room is comfortably balanced between the expensively decorated and the homely. ROGER SPELDING is concluding his TV broadcast. He is middle-aged, unctuous, resonant. His wife, bored and vague, knits passively while he talks at his desk. Two technicians are on hand, operating the equipment. His daughter, ELLEN, a lively girl of twenty, fidgets as she listens.

Spelding (Into microphone)... and so, according to General Powers ... who should know if anyone does ... the flying object which has given rise to so much irresponsible conjecture is nothing more than a meteor passing through the earth's orbit. It is not, as many believe, a secret weapon of this country. Nor is it a spaceship as certain lunatic elements have suggested. General Powers has assured me that it is highly doubtful there is any kind of life on other planets capable of building a spaceship. "If any travelling is to be done in space, we will do it first." And those are his exact words. ... Which winds up another week of news. (Crosses to pose with wife and daughter). This is Roger Spelding, saying good night to Mother and Father America, from my old homestead in Silver Glen, Maryland, close to the warm pulsebeat of the nation.

Technician: Good show tonight, Mr. Spelding.

Spelding: Thank you.

Technician: Yes sir, you were right on time.

Spelding (nods wearily, his mechanical smile and heartiness suddenly gone): Very nice, dear. Very nice.

Technician: See you next week, Mr. Spelding.

Spelding: Thank you, boys.

Technicians (go):

Ellen: Did you like the broadcast, Ellen?

Ellen: Of course I did, Daddy.

Spelding: Then what did I say?

Ellen: Oh, that's not fair.

Spelding: It's not very flattering when one's own daughter won't listen to what one says.

Ellen: I always listen, Daddy, you know that.

Mrs. Spelding: We love your broadcasts, dear. I don't know what we'd do without them.

Spelding: Starve.

Ellen: I wonder what's keeping John?

Spelding: Certainly not work.

Ellen: Oh, Daddy, stop it! John works very hard and you know it.

Mrs. Spelding: Yes, he's a perfectly nice boy, Roger. I like him.

Spelding: I know. I know: He has every virtue except the most important one: he has no get-up-and-go.

Ellen: (Precisely) He doesn't want to get up and he doesn't want to go because he's already where he wants to be on his own farm which is exactly where I'm going to be when we're married.

Spelding: More thankless than a serpent's tooth is an ungrateful child.

Ellen: I don't think that's right. Isn't it "more deadly..."?

Spelding: Whatever the exact quotation is, I stand by the sentiment.

Mrs. Spelding: Please don't quarrel. It always gives me a headache.

Spelding: I never quarrel. I merely reason, in my simple way, with Miss Know-it-all here.

Ellen: Oh, Daddy! Next you'll tell me I should marry for money.

Spelding: There is nothing wrong with marrying a wealthy man. The horror of it has always eluded me. However, my only wish is that you marry someone hardworking, ambitious, a man who'll make his mark in the world. Not a boy who plans to sit on a farm all his life, growing peanuts.

Ellen: English walnuts.

Spelding: Will you stop correcting me?

Ellen: But, Daddy, John grows walnuts.

(John enters, breathlessly.)

John: Come out! Quick! It's coming this way. It's going to land right here!

Spelding: What's going to land?

John: The spaceship. Look!

Spelding: Apparently you didn't hear my broadcast. The flying object in question is a meteor, not a spaceship.

(John has gone out with Ellen. Spelding and Mrs. Spelding follow.)

Mrs. Spelding: Oh, my! Look! Something is falling! Roger, you don't think it's going to hit the house, do you?

Spelding: The odds against being hit by a falling object that size are, I should say, roughly, ten million to one.

John: Ten million to one or not, it's going to land right here, and it's not falling.

Spelding: I'm sure it's a meteor.

Mrs. Spelding: Shouldn't we go down to the cellar?

Spelding: If it's not a meteor, it's an optical illusion... mass hysteria.

Ellen: Daddy, it's a real spaceship. I'm sure it is.

Spelding: Or maybe a weather balloon. Yes, that's what it is. General Powers said only yesterday...

John: It's landing!

Spelding: I'm going to call the police... the Army. (Bolts inside)

Ellen: Oh look how it shines!

John: Here it comes!

Mrs. Spelding: Right in my rose garden!

Ellen: Maybe it's a balloon.

John: No, it's a spaceship and right in your own backyard.

Ellen: What makes it shine so?

John: I don't know but I'm going to find out. (Runs off toward the light)

Ellen: Oh, darling, don't! John, please! John, John come back! (Spelding wide-eyed returns.)

Mrs. Spelding: Roger, it's landed right in my rose garden.

Spelding: I got General Powers. He's coming over. He said they've been watching this thing. They... they don't know what it is.

Ellen: You mean it's nothing of ours?

Spelding: They believe it... (Swallows hard) ...it's from outer space.

Ellen: And John's down there! Daddy, get a gun or something.

Spelding: Perhaps we'd better leave the house until the Army gets here.

Ellen: We can't leave John.

Spelding: I can. (Peers nearsightedly) Why, it's not much larger than a car. I'm sure it's some kind of meteor.

Ellen: Meteors are blazing hot.

Spelding: This is a cold one...

Ellen: It's opening... The whole side's opening! (Shouts) John! Come back! Quick.

Mrs. Spelding: Why, there's a man getting out of it! (Sighs) I feel much better already.

"Visit to a Small Planet" by Gore Vidal is a satirical comedy that explores human nature, societal norms, and the absurdity of war through the lens of an alien visitor. The play is set in the late 1950s, during the height of the Cold War, and takes place in the living room of the Spelding family, who live in suburban Maryland.

Summary:

The play begins with Roger Spelding, a television commentator, preparing for a broadcast about UFOs. He is skeptical about the existence of alien visitors and dismisses the idea as nonsense. His daughter Ellen and wife Reba are also introduced, with Ellen showing more open-mindedness towards the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Their peaceful evening takes a dramatic turn when a UFO actually lands in their yard.

The alien visitor, Kreton, emerges from the spacecraft. Kreton appears human but possesses extraordinary powers and an innocent curiosity about Earth and its inhabitants. He reveals that he has come to Earth as a tourist, interested in observing human behavior, especially their tendency towards conflict and war. Kreton is shocked and amused by human emotions, especially their capacity for violence, something that does not exist on his home planet.

Kreton's arrival causes a stir, not just within the Spelding household but also with the military, led by General Powers. The General is wary of Kreton, suspecting him of being a potential threat. Kreton, however, remains benign, though his powers and his misunderstanding of human customs lead to a series of humorous and absurd situations.

As the play unfolds, Kreton decides to have some fun by manipulating events on Earth. He temporarily takes control of the planet's military forces, demonstrating his ability to start a war or stop it at will. His actions expose the absurdity and danger of the human propensity for conflict. Kreton's fascination with war and his misunderstanding of its consequences highlight the destructive nature of human behavior.

Ultimately, Kreton's superior, Delton 4, arrives and reprimands him for interfering with Earth. Kreton is ordered to return to his planet, leaving the humans to their own devices. The play ends with Kreton's departure, leaving the Speldings and the audience to reflect on the absurdity and futility of war, and on the alien's parting observation that humans have a lot to learn.

Themes:
The play delves into themes such as the futility of war, the absurdity of human behavior, and the critique of Cold War paranoia. Through Kreton's outsider perspective, Vidal offers a satirical commentary on the human condition, highlighting both the comedic and tragic elements of human society.

Characters:

• Kreton: The alien visitor who is curious, powerful, and fascinated by human behavior, especially war.
• Roger Spelding: A television commentator who is skeptical of UFOs and represents the average American mindset of the time.
• Ellen Spelding: Roger's daughter, who is open-minded and more accepting of the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
• Reba Spelding: Roger's wife, who is mostly passive and disinterested in the events unfolding around her.
• General Powers: A military figure who represents authority and the human tendency to respond to the unknown with suspicion and aggression.

Conclusion:
"Visit to a Small Planet" uses humor and satire to explore serious themes about human nature, the dangers of war, and the need for greater understanding and compassion. Gore Vidal's play remains a relevant and thought-provoking commentary on the human condition.

Word Meanings:

1. Stock Shot - A pre-recorded video or image.
2. Luminous - Shining or glowing.
3. Arcs - Moves in a curved path.
4. Superimpose - Place or lay over something else.
5. Comfortably - In a relaxed and easy manner.
6. Expensively - Costing a lot of money.
7. Decorated - Made to look attractive by adding things.
8. Homely - Simple, cozy, and comfortable.
9. Concluding - Bringing something to an end.
10. Unctuous - Overly smooth, polite, or flattering.
11. Resonant - Deep, clear, and continuing to sound or ring.
12. Vague - Unclear or uncertain.
13. Passively - Without active response or resistance.
14. Fidgets - Moves restlessly.
15. Irresponsible - Not showing a proper sense of responsibility.
16. Conjecture - An opinion or conclusion formed without complete information.
17. Orbit - The path of an object as it revolves around another object in space.
18. Secret weapon - A hidden or unknown weapon.
19. Lunatic - Crazy or wildly foolish.
20. Elements - Basic parts or aspects of something.
21. Assured - Guaranteed or promised confidently.
22. Doubtful - Uncertain or unlikely.
23. Capable - Able to do something.
24. Pulsebeat - The rhythmical throbbing of arteries as blood is propelled through them.
25. Nation - A large group of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, living in a particular area.
26. Technician - A person skilled in the technical aspects of a job.
27. Broadcast - A program transmitted by radio or television.
28. Mechanical - Operated by or relating to machines.
29. Smile - An expression of pleasure or friendliness.
30. Heartiness - Warmth and sincerity in behavior or attitude.
31. Flattering - Giving praise or compliments.
32. Object - A material thing that can be seen and touched.
33. Responsibility - The state or fact of being accountable for something.
34. Stare - Look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something.
35. Illusion - A false idea or belief.
36. Mass - A large number or quantity of something.
37. Hysteria - Exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement.
38. Precisely - Exactly or accurately.
39. Serpent - A large snake.
40. Tooth - A hard, bony structure in the mouth used for biting and chewing.
41. Ungrateful - Not showing or expressing thanks.
42. Quotation - A group of words taken from a text or speech and repeated by someone other than the original author or speaker.
43. Sentiment - A view or opinion that is held or expressed.
44. Quarrel - An angry argument or disagreement.
45. Headache - A continuous pain in the head.
46. Reason - The power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments logically.
47. Simple - Easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty.
48. Know-it-all - A person who acts as though they know everything.
49. Horror - An intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.
50. Eluded - Escaped or avoided.
51. Hardworking - Tending to work with energy and commitment.
52. Ambitious - Having a strong desire and determination to succeed.
53. Mark - A visible impression or stain on something.
54. World - The earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features.
55. Plans - A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.
56. Farm - An area of land and its buildings used for growing crops and rearing animals.
57. Peanuts - A type of nut that grows underground and is commonly eaten.
58. Walnuts - A type of nut that comes from a large tree.
59. Correcting - Putting right an error or fault.
60. Breathlessly - In a way that shows excitement or other strong feelings.
61. Quick - Fast or prompt.
62. Landing - Coming down to the ground.
63. Apparently - As far as one knows or can see.
64. Meteor - A piece of rock or metal from space that burns up in the Earth's atmosphere.
65. Spacecraft - A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space.
66. Question - A sentence worded or expressed to elicit information.
67. Returns - Comes or goes back to a place or person.
68. Roughly - Approximately or nearly.
69. Million - A thousand thousand (1,000,000).
70. Object - A thing that can be seen and touched.
71. Size - The relative extent of something; its dimensions or magnitude.
72. Certainly - Without any doubt.
73. Work - Activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.
74. Balcony - A platform enclosed by a wall or balustrade on the outside of a building.
75. Nice - Pleasant, agreeable, or satisfactory.
76. Virtue - Behavior showing high moral standards.
77. Exactly - In precise terms; without vagueness.
78. Terrible - Extremely or distressingly bad or serious.
79. Cheerful - Noticeably happy and optimistic.
80. Spoil - Diminish or destroy the value or quality of something.
81. Collapse - Fall down or give way.
82. Sparkle - Shine brightly with flashes of light.
83. Weapon - A thing designed or used for inflicting bodily harm or physical damage.
84. Country - A nation with its own government, occupying a particular territory.
85. Child - A young human being below the age of puberty or below the legal age of majority.
86. Activity - A thing that a person or group does or has done.
87. Impossible - Not able to occur, exist, or be done.
88. Believe - Accept something as true; feel sure of the truth of.
89. Discover - Find something or someone unexpectedly or in the course of a search.
90. Century - A period of one hundred years.
91. Year - The time taken by the Earth to make one revolution around the sun.
92. End - The final part of something, especially a period of time, an activity, or a story.
93. Newspaper - A printed publication (usually issued daily or weekly) consisting of folded unstapled sheets and containing news, articles, advertisements, and correspondence.
94. Different - Not the same as another or each other; unlike in nature, form, or quality.
95. Imagination - The faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses.
96. Optical - Relating to sight, especially in relation to the physical action of light.
97. Professional - Relating to or connected with a profession.
98. Observation - The action or process of observing something or someone carefully or in order to gain information.
99. Discussion - The action or process of talking about something in order to reach a decision or to exchange ideas.
100. Ambition - A strong desire to do or achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.

Critical Analysis of the Excerpt from "Visit to a Small Planet"

The excerpt from Gore Vidal’s play "Visit to a Small Planet" provides a rich canvas for exploring the intersection of satire, social commentary, and science fiction. Through its dialogue and character interactions, the play critiques the societal norms of the 1950s, particularly the complacency of the middle class and the hubris of authoritative figures. This analysis will delve into the play's thematic concerns, character development, and the use of satire.

Thematic Exploration

At the heart of this excerpt lies a tension between the known and the unknown, the comfortable and the disruptive. The appearance of the "luminous object" in the night sky symbolizes the intrusion of the unfamiliar into the characters' orderly lives. This object serves as a metaphor for the unknown threats of the Cold War era, such as the fear of communism and nuclear annihilation, which loomed large in the American consciousness at the time. The characters’ varying reactions to the object reflect their differing levels of acceptance or denial of these fears.

The excerpt also explores the theme of authority and the reliability of those in power. Roger Spelding, the father, represents the voice of authority—an experienced TV broadcaster who reassures his audience that the object is merely a meteor, not a spaceship or a weapon. His insistence on this interpretation, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, critiques the tendency of those in power to dismiss or downplay potential threats to maintain social order. Spelding’s blind faith in General Powers, who claims that any significant space exploration will be done by Americans, underscores a broader critique of American exceptionalism and the era’s technological optimism.

Character Development

The characters in the play are well-drawn archetypes that represent different aspects of mid-20th century American society. Roger Spelding is the embodiment of middle-class complacency and arrogance. His dismissive attitude towards his daughter Ellen and her fiancé John reveals his paternalistic views and his inability to recognize the value in perspectives other than his own. This is evident in his condescending tone when discussing John’s career choice and his tendency to belittle Ellen’s opinions.

Ellen, in contrast, represents a younger generation that is more open-minded and willing to challenge the status quo. Her belief in John’s ambition to work on his farm, and her willingness to believe in the possibility of a spaceship landing in their yard, contrasts sharply with her father’s skepticism. Through Ellen, Vidal highlights the generational divide between those who cling to traditional values and those who are ready to embrace new ideas and possibilities.

John, although less developed in this excerpt, serves as a catalyst for the action. His urgency and belief in the spaceship’s landing introduce the element of the unknown that disrupts the Spelding family’s routine. His willingness to investigate the object, despite the danger, positions him as a figure of curiosity and bravery, in stark contrast to Roger’s cautious and dismissive nature.

Satirical Elements

Vidal employs satire to critique the societal attitudes of his time, particularly the blind faith in authority and the dismissal of the unknown. Roger Spelding’s character is a satirical portrayal of a certain kind of American—one who is confident in his beliefs, dismissive of others’ opinions, and overly reliant on official narratives. His insistence that the object is a meteor, despite growing evidence to the contrary, is a humorous yet pointed commentary on the absurdity of ignoring facts that don’t fit into one’s preconceived notions.

The interactions between Spelding and his wife also provide a satirical look at gender roles. Mrs. Spelding, who is portrayed as vague and passive, represents the stereotypical housewife who is disconnected from the larger world and relies on her husband for guidance. Her knitting and complaints about headaches during quarrels suggest a woman whose role is to maintain domestic harmony rather than engage in meaningful discourse. This portrayal, while exaggerated for comedic effect, critiques the limited roles available to women in the 1950s.

Conclusion

The excerpt from "Visit to a Small Planet" is a masterful blend of satire, social commentary, and science fiction. Through sharp dialogue and well-drawn characters, Vidal critiques the complacency and arrogance of mid-20th century American society. The play’s exploration of themes such as the fear of the unknown, the reliability of authority, and generational divides, remains relevant today, making it a timeless piece of social criticism.

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