Final answer:
Les Goodman and Charlie experience role reversals in 'The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street' due to escalating paranoia and fear, shifting from neighbor to suspect and accuser to accused, reflecting themes of hysteria and the destructive effects of suspicion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The changes in roles between Les Goodman and Charlie in The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street by Rod Serling can be linked to the intense suspicion and paranoia among the residents as strange occurrences unfold on their street. Initially, Les Goodman is seen as a typical neighbor until unexplained events cast suspicion on him. Conversely, Charlie is initially a leader in the witch hunt but as tensions rise and fear escalates, Charlie accidentally shoots another neighbor, leading to a shift where he becomes the target of suspicion and fear as well.
The textual evidence highlights that when the spotlight of paranoia shifts to Charlie, he experiences a role reversal from being the accuser to the accused. This shift exemplifies the themes of hysteria and the speed at which fear can turn friends into enemies. The story illustrates the human capacity for change under pressure, especially in an environment rife with fear and unreasonable accusations.