The Martian Character Analysis

The human population on Mars has increased to an astounding number of one but astronaut Mark Watney’s only goal is to get back home. That is, if he can survive long enough. Unforeseen events have left him stranded and he is believed to be dead by his crew mates of the aborted Ares 3 mission who were forced to evacuate the forbidding planet. Mark is alone with no communication to Earth and his food supplies are dwindling. How can he ever hope to survive?

The Martian, written by author Andy Weir is a science fiction novel that is about much more than science and space exploration. It is an adventure story and a thriller that speaks to a basic human connection. We want the underdog to win and Mark Watney’s character is no exception. He is a very likable guy that has genuine personable characteristics. For instance, despite being a very intelligent scientist, he makes stupid mistakes. It’s something that all of us can relate to. Unfortunately for him, even a seemingly minor mistake can be deadly. This is one reason why the character of Watney is so appealing, he is confronted with impossible odds, yet he faces them with humor and bravery. His training as an astronaut has

helped him survive, but it is his own ingenuity and sheer will that keeps him going.

A few scenes in the novel center around Watney’s only source of entertainment; mystery ebooks, and music and television episodes from the 1970s that were left behind by his crew mates. True to his comical nature, he adopts the song “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees as his theme song. The pop culture references throughout the novel are lighter moments that make Watney’s character even more appealing and likable. Despite his humorous and sometimes cavalier attitude about his “Mark Watney doesn’t die project”, several scenes are a slap in the face wake up call that remind us just how perilous Mark’s fate is. It is never a guarantee and it leaves readers guessing right up until the very last page.

The science in this novel is smart, and some of it is highly technical, but you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand it.

Weir manages to weave it into the story so that the basic concepts and outcomes are made clear, although things don’t always go as planned for his characters. Weir achieves this with fluidity through the careful construction and pacing of his novel that keeps it from getting bogged down with too many technicalities. The science itself is not too far beyond current reality, and thus it makes the story that much more believable. Weir has crafted an exciting and entertaining novel that many adult readers, not just science fiction fans, will enjoy. It is sure to become a classic and has been made into a movie starring Matt Damon that is set to be released in

October.