Ridley Scott's The Martian

It basically showed how people were very focused with space exploration that they forgot about the terrible events occurring in their planet. For example war, poverty, and prejudice. This affects with their emotions because it makes them realize how blind they have been towards things currently happen within

The small glimpse of the aliens harboring their ship made them appear horrifying; whereas, when they properly make their first appearance in the camps, they are accurately shown as pathetic and sickly. The different mise-en-scène in these two shots uncovers the two interpretations of the supposed threat. This informs the audience’s perception of the aliens as vulnerable and lost due to their imprisonment by the Multi-National United (MNU) Security Force. The mise-en-scène of the camps further captivates the viewer with images of destruction, barbed wire, and dilapidated homes in a Johannesburg slum. The choice of the setting being Johannesburg sets a different expectation for the viewer, as most Hollywood alien movies take place in major American cities; the foreign setting clearly establishes the film’s unique tone. This tone highlights the film’s clear allusion to the South African Apartheid by depicting comparable events. Mise-en-scène plays a huge role in this connection, as the camera rolls by a chain of signs that say, ‘For Humans Only’, ‘No Non-Human Loitering’, ‘No! Not Welcome’. This communicates that the human population is against the alien presence, preferring segregation instead of unity. These images have a direct connection to South Africa’s past, while also being reminiscent of the European refugee camps and the Jim Crow laws in America.

For the first time, Mark has contact with the people who are helping him survive on the deserted planet. Weir uses humor to simulate how despite the chances of how coming back to Earth are slim, he still has his comical aspect to the situation. With Weir’s sense of humor, it makes a huge impact on the mood which helps keep the attention of the

One of the concerns that Chambers had involved the human beings colonizing Mars being treated more as test subjects than individuals. However, the results that the volunteers in the Mars 500 program obtained from their psychological testing proves that humans are entirely capable of handling the stress of the enclosed and restricting

We all dream of an ulterior world, a world in which we picture a perfect life with no struggles, problems, or pandemics. Both Interstellar, by Christopher Nolan, and Station Eleven by Emily Mandel, depict their characters as struggling not only with survival, but their sense of their own identity and security. Within Station Eleven, the saying, “survival is insufficient” is a recurring theme of Interstellar as well. While there are some differences in the characters and themes within Interstellar and Station Eleven, the similarities are the connections to their identity in which they adapt to the force of change within their world. As the characters struggle with adapting, they cling to certain things that allow them to remain sane. As a result, the characters feel like they have a purpose again due to their struggle for survival.

‘’ The web gone, the rockets lying in jig saw heaps of molten girder and unsnaked wire Earth people left to the strangeness of Mars, the cinnamon dusts and wine airs, to be baked gingerbread shapes in Martian summers, put to harvested storage by Martian winters. What would

The mate ties his crew to the white-painted wreckage in order to keep him and his crew afloat, this represents the mate tying himself to the white-painted idealism, which landed him and his crew in their predicament, to keep him and his crew alive. It is only after he ties himself to his idealism that he is able to think not only positively, but also rationally. He thinks of when the white wreckage will serve its purpose and he, “[will] abandon it.” (pg. 6). He realizes that because of his idealism he landed where he is, but that it is also necessary for him while he faces adversity. Similarly, the final moments of the short story, the mate awaits the sunrise, a new beginning, “certain the the clouds would open like a vast curtain and the heavens give them a sign.” (pg. 6) This “sign” is a chance at life for the surviving crew members. It is only after the crew clings on to idealism, that they can stay alive, and have a chance of survival through their drastic quandry; they need idealism to foster hope, so they may

Weir’s message of perseverant hope most resonates with me due to The Martian’s ability to tie the story of the frontier to a modern scientific endeavor, rather than the naïve dream of a young adolescent. All the Pretty Horses, to me, read more as a cautionary tale of memorializing a nonexistent era and following this misconception until disaster. McCarthy demonstrates John Grady Cole’s growth throughout the novel from believing in the mythic West to slowly realizing the harsh truth that such a place never exists. The Martian, in contrast, tells a story of science, one which I can better contextualize with my twenty-first century worldview. The new frontier of the modern world certainly still fall prey to misconceived notions and conventional

By this, immersion represents an entrée into the space of the narrative or a sensorial feeling that projects from the novel. Also attributed because of the satirical nature, this immersion puts humans into question. Nonetheless, there are occurrences in which the shift between the third person point of view into the second point of view, enables for this immersion to take shape. A particular passage which sets the pace for the novel, occurs in one of first chapter with the Martian, Ylla, waiting for an impending feeling of a thunderstorm, which simultaneously foreshadows the human impact to come. Nonetheless, in this passage the relationship between this immersive structure and the awareness that it stimulates connects due to the shift between the third person point of view into the second point of view. This usage of the second point of view enables an invitation into the narrative, as the feeling of a “thunderstorm coming,” felt by Ylla, accentuates and intensifies (15). It acts as more direct approach of narration which allows the character’s awareness/feelings to be projected and felt in a more sensorial degree. This idea of

The low-key lighting makes everything in the ship seem like shadows; the drastic change of the set and lighting leaves the audience uncomfortable and tense. In the office scene, the props behind the main character are books and computers, which depicts that he is intelligent and holds some importance. Another element telling the audience that the character speaking to us is of importance is his microphone since he is appearing ‘front and center’ in this “documentary”. The setting of Johannesburg sets a different expectation for the viewer, as most Hollywood alien movies take place in major American cities; the foreign setting automatically distinguishes the film’s unique

Tension, humor, and foreshadowing are some examples of elements that readers will find in The Martian. In The Martian, astronaut Mark Watney is left behind on Mars. Because of a dust storm, Mark's teammates believe that he is dead and left him behind. The Martian is a science fiction book that gives readers an idea of how people might be able to colonize Mars and gives readers an idea of what space is like. The Martian has an author that self-published his book, and who used humor and foreshadowing to keep his readers engaged.

Thoughtful literature allows experience thrilling adventures, amusing characters with unique traits, and unexplored situations to be touched upon. Andy Weir’s Mark Watney in The Martian endures such events with his realistic portrayal of hardship, optimism, and challenge. In Watney’s fight for survival to escape the harsh conditions and solitude of being left to die on Mars, he exposes mankind’s capabilities and persistence. Watney’s uplifting, humorous character, and his relatable character ensure even with his isolation, there’s never a dull moment. Mark Watney possesses a unique skillset and uplifting mindset in combination with NASA’s relentless efforts to save him enable him to solve problems and ultimately survive on Mars.

The amazing aerial shots of the “martian” landscape show the beauty of this alien world but also the overpowering cruelty and loneliness that one must endure to survive here. Astronaut Mark Watney learns through trial and error how extremely indifferent this world is to his survival. Although he struggles to survive and is constantly berated with whatever Mars throws at him, he still finds awe and inspiration through the majesty of Mars. At one point in this film, Mark says, “Sometimes I look out into the vast horizons… just because I can.” No matter what challenges Mark meets, he still appreciates the unique experience he is living through.

In the science fiction story, “Dark They Were, and Golden Eyed”, Ray Bradbury explores the theme of the environment, and how it can affect the lives of its inhabitants. He creates the Bittering family who one day decides to visit Mars. He relates how experiencing the Martian sun, drinking the Martian water, and eating fruit and vegetables grown in Martian soil gradually change them from Earthlings to Martians. Let us examine this in greater detail. To begin, the Martian sun is changing the Bittering family.

In addition, the film focus mainly on a human protagonist name Jake, and narrate his transformation from a human to an alien, which is done through a human-developed technology that injects human DNA into the alien bodies. After Jake’s transformation, the scene opens another implicit message: aliens are to be forcibly removed from their planet to create space for human activity (Veracini, 2011, p. 357). For the climax part of the film, the director establishes a passage that describes Jack becoming a native of Pandora, and the director again aims to introduce the audience with a message saying that human power against corporate force as to conserve our natural environment. This message seemingly gives audience a wonderful twist of the plot and is quite thought provoking for the audience. Hence, when a film includes well-integrated messages, it adds another layer of quality to the entire plot whereby all the elements of the plot becomes more meaningful, and the general audience could be attuned with the rhythm of the film because there is a logical flow from one scene to the next.