LMST 345 _Topic:Space Opera_The Martian by Andy Weir
LMST 345
Topic: Space Opera
Read: The Martian
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Topic: Space Opera
Read: The Martian
The Martian is a 2011 science fiction novel written by Andy Weir. The story follows an American astronaut in the year 2035, Mark Watney, as he becomes stranded on Mars and must do his best improvising in order to survive. An unfamiliar setting provides Weir with the opportunity to develop unique themes and elements in the story such as man vs. nature
For Watney, every day brings a new battle against his environment. As a human on Mars, the extent of protection that he has to undergo including having to wear several layers of protective gear just to go outside is an example of how Weir shaped the readers’ understanding of what the character is experiencing. Illustrating factual elements of the climate on Mars, occurrences such as dust storms cause threats to Watney’s survival. Because he is a scientist, the novel also emphasizes the idea of science and the human ability to fight for survival. Through the framework of the novel, Weir makes sure to explain the magnitude of the botany, chemistry, math, and engineering that Watney must endlessly calculate to stay alive. Watney's “scientific spirit” shows the reader that with each hardship, he continues to fight to stay alive.
Although typically represented in novels as lifeless or inanimate, in The Martian, "nature" is in fact the opposite as it tends to come alive in the midst of being the problem and solution. On the surface of the Red Planet there's essentially no oxygen, the temperature plunges at night, and the soil is not fertile. To survive, Watney works to "re-engineer" parts of nature to better suit his needs, including growing potatoes in the “Hab”, figuring out a way to curate more water by performing a chemical reaction experiment using leftover jet propellant.
Personally I really liked to see the ongoing interaction between Watney and the environment. It was interesting to see how the author developed the setting and used its elements to drive the plot.
For Watney, every day brings a new battle against his environment. As a human on Mars, the extent of protection that he has to undergo including having to wear several layers of protective gear just to go outside is an example of how Weir shaped the readers’ understanding of what the character is experiencing. Illustrating factual elements of the climate on Mars, occurrences such as dust storms cause threats to Watney’s survival. Because he is a scientist, the novel also emphasizes the idea of science and the human ability to fight for survival. Through the framework of the novel, Weir makes sure to explain the magnitude of the botany, chemistry, math, and engineering that Watney must endlessly calculate to stay alive. Watney's “scientific spirit” shows the reader that with each hardship, he continues to fight to stay alive.
Although typically represented in novels as lifeless or inanimate, in The Martian, "nature" is in fact the opposite as it tends to come alive in the midst of being the problem and solution. On the surface of the Red Planet there's essentially no oxygen, the temperature plunges at night, and the soil is not fertile. To survive, Watney works to "re-engineer" parts of nature to better suit his needs, including growing potatoes in the “Hab”, figuring out a way to curate more water by performing a chemical reaction experiment using leftover jet propellant.
Personally I really liked to see the ongoing interaction between Watney and the environment. It was interesting to see how the author developed the setting and used its elements to drive the plot.
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