Reflection on the past is a mirror towards the future. As the characters in The Martian Chronicles reflect, they come to the conclusion that their distress arises from the self, saying, “‘I was looking for Earthian logic, common sense, good government, peace, and responsibility.’ ‘All that up there?’ ‘No, I didn’t find it. It’s not there anymore. Maybe it’ll never be there again. Maybe we fooled ourselves it was ever there’” (Bradbury 231). The futuristic and fantastical journey to colonize Mars may appear insignificant on the surface, but Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles is much more than a simple science fiction novel; it is an exploration of humanity, its tribulations and triumphs, and its fatal flaws. It was written both as an …show more content…
observation of the past and a warning for the future, as Bradbury single handedly attempted through his literature to prevent the downfall of mankind by its technological and social aptitudes. As Bradbury weaved his web of stylistic choices, paralleled on historical threats, and examined the present and future standing of America due to its values, readers can enjoy both the simple but allegorical meanings. In The Martian Chronicles, Ray Bradbury suggested that through the imposition of self- destructive cultural values and technology from 1950s American society, only self-annihilation is possible; to truly flourish, one must abandon the outdated American Dream and adapt to a new life, avoiding the repetition of the past. The era of Bradbury’s writing was one defined by an exploration of new literature styles, and, specifically, his art of the short story.
Stories within the novel originally were conceived at different periods in Bradbury’s career and are drawn together by connecting chapters . Most of the characters are contained within a specific chapter, with the exception of Spender and Captain Wilder. Because of Bradbury’s preference of short stories, no apparent protagonist or antagonist exists. The chronicles range over a twenty-seven year period of time¬, describing the difficult decisions that reflect on humanity as a whole rather than single character issues (Hoskinson 350-351). Bradbury chose short pieces and vignettes to chronicle the journey of pioneers to the New World, describing the colonization, apocalypse, and rebirth of a planet (Mogen 87). Bradbury wrote some of his characters as a historical archetype known as the Cold-War Man. This man is one, “antagonized by conflicting allegiances—one to his government, the other to his personal sense of morals and values— who is forced by circumstance to make an ultimate choice between these impulses,” (Hoskinson 350-351). The Martian Chronicles can be seen as an omniscient diary, lacking a cohesive plot, but rather emotionally detailing the struggles of humanity both within the novel and the modern world. Bradbury was able to comment on a multitude of ideas while remaining ambiguous to character’s views. While many praised his
acclaimed novel for its unique stylistic choices, the genre’s reception was mixed due to his influences of writing and viewpoints on technology.
Tracy K. Smith’s “Life on Mars” is a collection of poetry dealing mainly in the search for a sense of purpose and the nature of people. The books is something of an elegy as a whole with many poems pertaining to death and the author’s struggle with the loss of her father. The poems are at once poignant and gentle in tone and leave questions than can only be answered in multiple readings. The book is segmented in four parts that travel through different topics and types of poetry. The mood ranges from passionate accounts of Orwellian politics to soft recollections of a lovers embrace; throughout the book Smith brings in references to pop culture, science, and technology that incorporate seamlessly with her words.
If the Martian Chronicles had been written in the 1999’s instead of fifty years ago, many issues and problems would change. Ray Bradbury wrote his book in 1946. In it he wrote about problems such as censorship, man’s cruelty to man, and loneliness. Each issue shows up in one or two of his chronicles. All of his issues affect every one of his characters in many different ways.
Paradowski, Robert J. “Ray Bradbury.” Critical Survey Of Long Fiction, Fourth Edition (2010): 1-9. Literary Reference Center. Web. 7 Feb. 2014.
Captain Beatty is perhaps one of the most critical characters in Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451: he is expertly cruel and malicious, adroit at skewing the truth into a web of hypocrisies, and ultimately surrenders his own life. While Beatty attempts to continue the holocaust of books that his generation had started, in reality he is only depriving himself of a world of knowledge, imagination, and insight. Beatty proves that giving up ones dreams and aspirations may be the easy way out of conflicts and insecurities, but will quash the marvelous revolutions that can be brought upon by one with the will and determination to persevere.
How would you feel to be the last person on a planet? Would you like to be alone or what if the only other person left is someone you do not like? The chapters The Silent Towns and The Long Years in The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury is about two different people believing they are the last person alive on Mars.
Gallagher, Edward J. "The Thematic Structure of the Martian Chronicle." Ray Bradbury. Ed. Martin Harry Greenberg and Joseph D. Olander. New York: Taplinger Publishing Co., 1980. 55-82. Rpt. in Short Story Criticism. Ed. Lynn M. Zott. Vol. 53. Detroit: Gale, 2002. Artemis Literary Sources. Web. 6 May 2014.
Paradowski, Robert J. “Ray Bradbury.” Critical Survey Of Long Fiction, Fourth Edition (2010): 1-9. Literary Reference Center. Web. 30 Jan. 2014.
Hoskinson, Kevin. “The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451: Ray Bradbury’s Cold War Novels.” Extrapolation (Kent State University Press). 36.4 (1995): 350-351. Literary Reference Center. Web. 2 March 2011.
Mirrors never lie. They reveal each and every intricate feature of a person, which otherwise would not be visible to him/her. Mirrors reflect how one looks on the outside. However, what sheds light on one’s innermost appearance? For centuries, literature has served as rearview mirror for our society reflecting the culture, morals, and beliefs of our past. Literature shows us who we were, who we are, and who we could be. This feature is reflected through the use of both themes and literary devices. For example, the theme of oppression is displayed in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby; this shows us some of the real-life attitudes displayed toward women, lower social classes, and non-white races.
Bradbury developed the setting of the story similar to Earth as far aslandscape, atmosphere, and people in order to emphasize his intentions. Themartians are described as if they are American Indians at the time of theAmerican Revolution. For example, in the beginning of the story, Bradburydepicts Martians "they had the fair, brownish skin of the true Martian, the yellowcoin eyes, the soft musical voices." The trees, the towns in Mars, and the grassare all described like Earth landscape. Bradbury's Mars is a mirror of Earth.These plots raise moral issues and reflections of how history may repeat itself. Bradbury portrays Mars as humankind's second world, where we may goafter our Earthly existence. In the episode of "April 2000: The third expedition,"Captain John Black's mother said "you get a second chance to live" (pp.44).Lustig's grandmother said "ever since we died" (pp.40). Humans have a naturalfear of death. Some humans may even have a death wish. Bradbury reveals histhought of death through the connection between Mars and Earth. Through Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles, Bradbury warns us of ourfuture. In the episode of "June 2000: And the Moon ve still as bright," CaptainWilder said, "one day Earth will be as Mars is today...It's an object lesson incivilizations. We'll learn from Mars" (pp. 55). Throught the story, Earth man,especially American think that they are superior than the Martian. Earth mancan do anything and knows everyting. However, Bradbury's message is to tellthem it is not true. Earth man, here American people realize there are manythings that they can learn from others.
Ray Bradbury’s style of writing always included hidden meanings that present a central theme of the dangers of unchecked technology. Many factors in Ray Bradbury’s life had contributed to his style of writing and the themes that he wanted to present to society. Some factors that influenced Bradbury were events such as the Cold War and the writings of other writers such as Edgar Allen Poe. Bradbury’s style of writing was shaped by many factors in his life such as world events, his techniques learned from famous writers, and the progress of society. From life to death Bradbury’s world was always filled with war and government propaganda that attempted to sway the thoughts of citizens about the dangers of foreign threats (Schofelt, Cordon, “Science fiction writer Ray Bradbury: 1920-2012”). Bradbury’s writings were always influenced by the constant reminder of these governments ideology filling his ears. Bradbury’s writing was also influenced by the writings of other writers such as Edgar Allen Poe. His inspiration as a child began with Poe and was forever changed by his style of gothic writing and the morals that Poe always presented to his readers ("Planetary Pariahs: Bradbury and the Influence of Edgar Allan Poe."). Bradbury’s best known works were considered science fiction and always presented a story of the dangers of unchecked technology (Mataconis "Ray Bradbury And The Real Lesson Of Fahrenheit 451."). All these factor into how Bradbury would style his writing and the major themes he presents to his readers.
Just because people around you change doesn’t always mean you do too. The characters in the storys, “Dark They Were And Golden Eyed,” by Ray Bradbury. Every story has a different perspective than the radio play version of, “Dark They Were And Golden Eyed,” by Michael Mcdonald. Even though they are the same the story one is a radio play which has a lot of voices and a very different perspective because, in the radio play you can definitely tell that people like mars and have no problem that they have seen or felt. Harry and Cora are parents of 3 children with the names Dan, David, and Laura. Harry feels like they should go back as soon as they can before it is too late.
Aliens in science fiction have not only served as a topic of entertainment, but as beings of reflection for people. Questions of intelligence and civilization amongst aliens bring contest to the dominance and achievements of mankind. In the short stories, “A Martian Odyssey” by Stanley Weinbaum and “When I was Miss Dow” by Sonya Dorman, humanity is repeatedly contested through the aliens depicted. Weinbaum’s writing recounts the adventure of astronaut Dick Jarvis where his observations of the grotesque and diverse Martian lifeforms bring into question the limitations and the closedmindedness of humans. In “When I was Miss Dow”, the protagonist integrates into human society through the changing of its originally genderless form to a human woman.
A theme for the martian chronicles is, don’t let the past rule the present. The meaning of this theme is what has happened, has already happened and you shouldn’t let it take over what you do now. This is a theme because in the martian chronicles there are many times that people have the chance to go on living without the past, but instead to continue in the past.
A constant struggle between the main character Harry Bittering and the forces of the martian climate is shown throughout the story. Bradbury displays the struggle with change through the external conflict and sensory imagery. After the Bitterings land on the desolate climate of mars, Henry is overwhelmed with a sense of dread. Bradbury writes that the foreign land’s “wind blew as if to flake away their identities.