Exploring the Themes of They're Made Out of Meat in a High School Short Story Unit
- Feb 6
- 4 min read
Understanding literature through short stories offers a unique way to engage teens with complex ideas in a manageable format. One story that stands out for its intriguing concept and rich themes is They're Made Out of Meat by Terry Bisson. This story challenges readers to think about identity, communication, and perspective in unexpected ways. Incorporating it into a teen short story unit can spark meaningful discussions and critical thinking skills.
What Is They're Made Out of Meat About?
They're Made Out of Meat is a brief but powerful science fiction story. It features a conversation between two alien beings who discover that humans are entirely made of meat. The aliens find this fact so bizarre and incomprehensible that they decide humans are not worth communicating with or even acknowledging.
The story’s main ideas include:
The nature of consciousness and existence: The aliens struggle to understand how beings made of meat can think and communicate.
Prejudice and misunderstanding: The aliens reject humans based on their unfamiliar physical form.
Perspective and otherness: The story flips the usual human perspective by presenting humans as strange and alien.
These ideas invite readers to question their assumptions about what it means to be alive and intelligent.
Why Study This Story with Teens?
Teens are at a stage where they are forming their own identities and learning to see the world from multiple viewpoints. They're Made Out of Meat offers a perfect opportunity to explore these themes in an accessible way. Here are some reasons to include this story in a teen short story unit:
Encourages empathy: By seeing humans through alien eyes, teens can practice understanding others who seem different.
Promotes critical thinking: The story’s twist challenges readers to think beyond appearances and question biases.
Sparks creativity: Its short length and unique concept inspire students to write their own stories or dialogues exploring similar themes.
Connects to science fiction: Many teens enjoy sci-fi, making this story a gateway to exploring the genre’s ideas and styles.
Supports discussion on communication: The story highlights how communication depends on shared understanding, a valuable lesson for teens navigating social relationships.
How to Use the Story in a Short Story Unit
Integrating They're Made Out of Meat into your curriculum can be done in several engaging ways:
Pre-Reading Activities
Brainstorm what makes someone or something "alive." Ask students to list characteristics of living beings.
Discuss first impressions of aliens. What do students imagine aliens look like or how they behave?
Reading and Analysis
Read the story aloud or have students read silently. Its brevity makes it easy to cover in one class.
Identify the main conflict. What problem do the aliens face? How do they resolve it?
Explore the story’s tone and style. How does the dialogue format affect the story’s impact?
Post-Reading Discussion
Discuss the aliens’ reaction to humans. Why do they reject humans? What does this say about fear of the unknown?
Relate the story to real-world examples of prejudice. How do people sometimes judge others based on appearance or differences?
Encourage students to imagine a conversation from the humans’ perspective. What would humans say if they could respond?
Creative Extensions
Write a sequel or alternative ending. What if the aliens decided to communicate with humans?
Create a dialogue between two different species. Explore themes of misunderstanding and connection.
Draw or design what the aliens might look like. Visualizing the story can deepen engagement.
Benefits of Using Short Stories Like This in Teen Education
Short stories offer several advantages in teaching literature to teens:
Manageable length: Teens can read and analyze a story in one or two sessions.
Focused themes: Short stories often concentrate on a single idea, making discussion clearer.
Variety of genres: From science fiction to realism, short stories expose students to diverse styles.
Encourages close reading: The brevity allows students to pay attention to language and structure.
Builds confidence: Completing a story and discussing it boosts students’ confidence in their reading skills.
Linking to a Short Story Unit
Including They're Made Out of Meat in a short story unit complements other stories that explore identity, communication, and perspective. It pairs well with stories that:
Challenge stereotypes
Feature unusual narrators or points of view
Use dialogue as a primary storytelling method
By combining this story with others, you create a unit that encourages teens to think deeply about how stories reflect human experience and how perspective shapes understanding.
This story’s simple yet profound message makes it a valuable tool for teaching teens about empathy, communication, and critical thinking. Using They're Made Out of Meat in a short story unit offers a fresh way to engage students with literature and help them explore important life lessons.
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