Martian ChroniclesMartian Chronicles

ByBy

Ray BradburyRay Bradbury

January 1999 Rocket SummerJanuary 1999 Rocket Summer

Sets scene for the rest of the novelSets scene for the rest of the novelIntroduces the exploration of MarsIntroduces the exploration of Mars““Summer” image is a rebirth from winter – like a Summer” image is a rebirth from winter – like a rebirth for the people of Earth – comes from rebirth for the people of Earth – comes from technologytechnologySets up a comparison of later changes on Mars Sets up a comparison of later changes on Mars to the changes on Earth created by the rocket.to the changes on Earth created by the rocket.Rapid temperature change parallels the rapid Rapid temperature change parallels the rapid change humanity is about to go through – change humanity is about to go through – foreshadowing???foreshadowing???

February 1999 YllaFebruary 1999 Ylla

Describes Martian life and lifestyleDescribes Martian life and lifestyle– Differences and similarities between humans and Martians are Differences and similarities between humans and Martians are

highlightedhighlightedDomestic problems/issuesDomestic problems/issuesMale dominanceMale dominanceMisconceptions about the solar systemMisconceptions about the solar systemJealousyJealousy

– This humanizes the Martians: allows the reader to identify with This humanizes the Martians: allows the reader to identify with them.them.

– Describes the demise of the 1Describes the demise of the 1stst human expedition: foreshadows human expedition: foreshadows the difficulties humans will have.the difficulties humans will have.

– Trivial nature of the cause of 1Trivial nature of the cause of 1stst expedition’s death makes the expedition’s death makes the effort to go to Mars appear less important. effort to go to Mars appear less important.

August 1999 The Summer NightAugust 1999 The Summer Night

Singing songs in EnglishSinging songs in English– Earth culture coming to MarsEarth culture coming to Mars– Establishes telepathic communicationEstablishes telepathic communication– Lord Byron’s poem “She Walks in Beauty . . .”Lord Byron’s poem “She Walks in Beauty . . .”

Challenges traditional notions of beautyChallenges traditional notions of beautyThis opens the reader to the beauty of the This opens the reader to the beauty of the Martians and Martian culture.Martians and Martian culture.

– Makes the terrible end of Martian culture more Makes the terrible end of Martian culture more tragic.tragic.

August 1999 The Earth MenAugust 1999 The Earth Men

Describes the failure and death of the 2Describes the failure and death of the 2ndnd human human expedition to Mars.expedition to Mars.Humorous, wacky events aggravate and frustrate the Humorous, wacky events aggravate and frustrate the reader.reader.Reinforces the humanization of the Martians – they are Reinforces the humanization of the Martians – they are as petty and screwed up as humans.as petty and screwed up as humans.Trivial nature of the cause of 2Trivial nature of the cause of 2ndnd expedition’s death expedition’s death makes the effort to go to Mars appear less important. makes the effort to go to Mars appear less important. Highlights the level of instability in Martian culture – Highlights the level of instability in Martian culture – comment on human culture??? Foreshadows eventual comment on human culture??? Foreshadows eventual human research into psychosis.human research into psychosis.Closed-mindedness – comment on humanity???Closed-mindedness – comment on humanity???

March 2000 The TaxpayerMarch 2000 The Taxpayer

Provides/explains human motivation to go Provides/explains human motivation to go to Mars – war is coming.to Mars – war is coming.

Sets up the 3Sets up the 3rdrd expedition to Mars. expedition to Mars.

Taxpayer feels entitled to go to Mars – Taxpayer feels entitled to go to Mars – commentary on human feelings of commentary on human feelings of entitlement.entitlement.

April 2000 The Third ExpeditionApril 2000 The Third Expedition

Martians perpetrate a mass hallucination Martians perpetrate a mass hallucination to defend Mars against human settlement.to defend Mars against human settlement.Mars finally sees Earth as a threat.Mars finally sees Earth as a threat.This is a turning point – Martians finally This is a turning point – Martians finally reveal their superiority.reveal their superiority.This sets up the parallel of Europeans vs. This sets up the parallel of Europeans vs. Native American’s.Native American’s.Humans unknowingly bring disease.Humans unknowingly bring disease.

June 2001 “—and the moon be still June 2001 “—and the moon be still as bright.”as bright.”

Spender is concerned about keeping Martian Spender is concerned about keeping Martian history and culture intact.history and culture intact.Most Martians are dead due to Chicken Pox.Most Martians are dead due to Chicken Pox.Shows examples of undesirable human Shows examples of undesirable human behavior:behavior:– DrunkennessDrunkenness– HatredHatred– ViolenceViolence– PollutionPollution– Lack of appreciation for other cultures: e.g. CortezLack of appreciation for other cultures: e.g. Cortez– Crush dissenting opinions – send Capt. Wilder to Crush dissenting opinions – send Capt. Wilder to

Jupiter in later chapters.Jupiter in later chapters.

June 2001 “—and the moon be still June 2001 “—and the moon be still as bright.”as bright.”

Ironic that Capt. Wilder kills Spender because Ironic that Capt. Wilder kills Spender because the Capt. is the only other human who cares or the Capt. is the only other human who cares or understands the importance of Martian culture.understands the importance of Martian culture.Spender’s actions support Bradbury’s notions Spender’s actions support Bradbury’s notions that humans are not that humans are not entitledentitled to colonize Mars. to colonize Mars.In this sense, critics generally agree that In this sense, critics generally agree that Spender serves as Bradbury’s voice.Spender serves as Bradbury’s voice.This story parallels the colonization of new This story parallels the colonization of new worlds by Europeans – U.S., Australia, Africa, worlds by Europeans – U.S., Australia, Africa, etc. etc.

August 2001 The SettlersAugust 2001 The Settlers

Opening lines parallel Opening lines parallel Tale of Two CitiesTale of Two CitiesOutlines human reasons for coming to Outlines human reasons for coming to Mars.Mars.Shows that people are coming to colonize Shows that people are coming to colonize – exploration is over.– exploration is over.Government sanction parallels the WWII Government sanction parallels the WWII recruiting posters – propaganda???recruiting posters – propaganda???Loneliness felt by settlers makes the move Loneliness felt by settlers makes the move feel unnatural and improper to the reader.feel unnatural and improper to the reader.

December 2001 The Green December 2001 The Green MorningMorning

This chapter parallels the Johnny Appleseed story.This chapter parallels the Johnny Appleseed story.Benjamin Driscoll plants trees to generate oxygen and Benjamin Driscoll plants trees to generate oxygen and make the atmosphere breathable.make the atmosphere breathable.Bradbury uses liberal amounts of poetic/artistic license in Bradbury uses liberal amounts of poetic/artistic license in this chapter:this chapter:– Plants grow over nightPlants grow over night– Plants grow all over the surface of MarsPlants grow all over the surface of Mars– Trees, grass, bushes, etc all grow without difficulty, in spite of Trees, grass, bushes, etc all grow without difficulty, in spite of

the fact that Driscoll only planted trees.the fact that Driscoll only planted trees.

Note: this adds to the irony of destroying Mars for the Note: this adds to the irony of destroying Mars for the sake of Earth. This destroys Martian ecology and makes sake of Earth. This destroys Martian ecology and makes it Earthlike.it Earthlike.At the end of this story, Driscoll’s fainting shows that At the end of this story, Driscoll’s fainting shows that Mars continues to resist this transformation.Mars continues to resist this transformation.

February 2002 The LocustsFebruary 2002 The Locusts

Locusts are an insect that devour and Locusts are an insect that devour and destroy large areas of cropland.destroy large areas of cropland.Bradbury makes the parallel that the Bradbury makes the parallel that the human settlers are consuming all of Mars.human settlers are consuming all of Mars.Furthers the notion of destroying all that is Furthers the notion of destroying all that is Martian, and transforming it into something Martian, and transforming it into something Earthlike, and familiar.Earthlike, and familiar.Allusion to biblical plagues visited on the Allusion to biblical plagues visited on the Egyptians in Judeo-Christian tradition.Egyptians in Judeo-Christian tradition.

August 2002 Night MeetingAugust 2002 Night Meeting

TomTomáás Gomez meets up with a Martian from a s Gomez meets up with a Martian from a different time – time warp?different time – time warp?TomTomás Gomez is an ordinary human (no special ás Gomez is an ordinary human (no special qualities) who has a conversation where he has qualities) who has a conversation where he has to explain what humans have done to an to explain what humans have done to an ordinary Martian.ordinary Martian.This makes the Martian culture real to the This makes the Martian culture real to the reader, and evokes pity at its loss.reader, and evokes pity at its loss.This story lays the blame on the settlers, not on This story lays the blame on the settlers, not on the Government that organized the trips.the Government that organized the trips.

October 2002 The ShoreOctober 2002 The Shore

First men – from the American frontier, First men – from the American frontier, Cattlemen, ranch hands, explorers, etc. Cattlemen, ranch hands, explorers, etc. Bradbury highlights their roughness, abilities, Bradbury highlights their roughness, abilities, and their preference for solitude.and their preference for solitude.First women – prostitutes.First women – prostitutes.Second men – Urban poor from US cities.Second men – Urban poor from US cities.““Roman candles” foreshadows fall of the US, like Roman candles” foreshadows fall of the US, like the Roman Empire.the Roman Empire.Americans are running away from war, but will Americans are running away from war, but will eventually have to return to deal with it.eventually have to return to deal with it.

February 2003 InterimFebruary 2003 Interim

They have now destroyed and replaced They have now destroyed and replaced the Martian culturethe Martian culture

Everything the Martians tried to prevent Everything the Martians tried to prevent happened anywayhappened anyway

Introduces religion to MarsIntroduces religion to Mars

April 2003 The MusiciansApril 2003 The Musicians

Makes it seem as though the Martians are Makes it seem as though the Martians are a joke-the kids are making fun of thema joke-the kids are making fun of themAnother chapter that evokes pityAnother chapter that evokes pityThe Firemen start fires rather than putting The Firemen start fires rather than putting them out – reoccurring theme in them out – reoccurring theme in Bradbury’s booksBradbury’s booksAlso, Firemen burning any traces of the Also, Firemen burning any traces of the Martians making it appear there were no Martians making it appear there were no Martians to begin withMartians to begin with

June 2003 Way In the Middle of the June 2003 Way In the Middle of the AirAir

All the African Americans leave together to go to All the African Americans leave together to go to MarsMarsEnding makes it seem like the African Ending makes it seem like the African Americans just disappeared as opposed to Americans just disappeared as opposed to leaving. e.g. all their belongings are scattered leaving. e.g. all their belongings are scattered everywhereeverywhereBradbury describes a lot with the colors black Bradbury describes a lot with the colors black and whiteand whiteStory is told through the eyes of a racistStory is told through the eyes of a racist non- non-sympathetic main charactersympathetic main characterLots of biblical references – the assumption of Lots of biblical references – the assumption of the oppressed into heaven; the oppressors are the oppressed into heaven; the oppressors are left behind.left behind.

2004-05 The Naming of Names2004-05 The Naming of Names

Martian names seemed to mean more Martian names seemed to mean more than just a title, but the rockets/humans than just a title, but the rockets/humans destroyed these and replaced them with destroyed these and replaced them with mechanical/metal namesmechanical/metal namesNaming shows ownership – humans give Naming shows ownership – humans give names to establish ownership of Marsnames to establish ownership of MarsCompletion of Spender’s dream dyingCompletion of Spender’s dream dyingSets up the next storySets up the next storyStart implementing policies from Earth Start implementing policies from Earth

April 2005 Usher IIApril 2005 Usher II

Deals with the censorship coming from Earth to Deals with the censorship coming from Earth to MarsMarsShows Humans don’t have any respect for their Shows Humans don’t have any respect for their own cultureown cultureBradbury makes death seem a lot less serious, Bradbury makes death seem a lot less serious, just like in the first couple chaptersjust like in the first couple chaptersUses a lot of Poe in this chapterUses a lot of Poe in this chapterThe Red Death symbolizes the ending of The Red Death symbolizes the ending of Stendahl’s “fun”. The house falling symbolizes Stendahl’s “fun”. The house falling symbolizes the end of everything he had done.the end of everything he had done.

August 2005 The Old OnesAugust 2005 The Old Ones

After everyone else has come to Mars, After everyone else has come to Mars, now elders come. now elders come.

Shows that Mars is open to just about Shows that Mars is open to just about everyone.everyone.

Now that old people have come to Mars, it Now that old people have come to Mars, it seemed to have lost its “appeal”.seemed to have lost its “appeal”.

September 2005 The Martian September 2005 The Martian

Symbolizes the end of the Martian raceSymbolizes the end of the Martian race

Illustrates how everyone needs to belong Illustrates how everyone needs to belong somewhere and how the Martians tried to somewhere and how the Martians tried to co-exist, but were not able toco-exist, but were not able to

Makes a strong statement about human Makes a strong statement about human selfishness and its destructive powerselfishness and its destructive power

November 2005 The Luggage November 2005 The Luggage StoreStore

Main purpose of this story is to set up that there Main purpose of this story is to set up that there is a war on earthis a war on earthSwitches between people leaving Earth to go to Switches between people leaving Earth to go to Mars, to people starting to leave Mars to go back Mars, to people starting to leave Mars to go back to Earthto EarthTheme of families and families sticking togetherTheme of families and families sticking togetherReinforces the notion that humans never saw Reinforces the notion that humans never saw mars as “home.”mars as “home.”Adds severity to the destruction of the Martian Adds severity to the destruction of the Martian culture – humans destroyed it, and then left.culture – humans destroyed it, and then left.

November 2005 The Off SeasonNovember 2005 The Off Season

Brings back Sam Parkhill-allows reader to Brings back Sam Parkhill-allows reader to know what type of character he isknow what type of character he isGoes back to theme between husband Goes back to theme between husband and wifeand wifeMartians final goodbyeMartians final goodbyeMartians are trying to give Parkhill the Martians are trying to give Parkhill the deed to half of Marsdeed to half of Mars– Martians trying to show him he has a place on Martians trying to show him he has a place on

Mars when the Earth endsMars when the Earth ends

November 2005 The WatchersNovember 2005 The Watchers

Mars receives a message from Earth Mars receives a message from Earth asking them to come home; Australia has asking them to come home; Australia has been atomized.been atomized.Most Humans have been on Mars for 3-4 Most Humans have been on Mars for 3-4 years, and still perceive Earth as “home.”years, and still perceive Earth as “home.”Humans begin thinking about, and Humans begin thinking about, and showing concern for, loved ones on Earth.showing concern for, loved ones on Earth.Sets up the idea that Mars is abandoned Sets up the idea that Mars is abandoned (or nearly so).(or nearly so).

December 2005 The Silent TownsDecember 2005 The Silent TownsWalter Gripp appears to be the only one left on Mars – Walter Gripp appears to be the only one left on Mars – he frantically tries to find others. ‘Last man alive’ he frantically tries to find others. ‘Last man alive’ archetype.archetype.Discovers Genevieve is still on Mars – allusion to Adam Discovers Genevieve is still on Mars – allusion to Adam and Eve.and Eve.Maybe this chapter is asking is it worth it to restart a race Maybe this chapter is asking is it worth it to restart a race with Genevieve? She is both physically unattractive and with Genevieve? She is both physically unattractive and self-centered.self-centered.Humor comes from irony of the last two people on Mars Humor comes from irony of the last two people on Mars being unappealing to one another.being unappealing to one another.There seems to be no one else left; the reader can There seems to be no one else left; the reader can assume they all traveled back to Earth.assume they all traveled back to Earth.Gender stereotype is worth noting – women want Gender stereotype is worth noting – women want marriage and men don’t.marriage and men don’t.

April 2026 The Long YearsApril 2026 The Long Years

Cpt. Wilder comes back to find Mr. Hathaway and family. Cpt. Wilder comes back to find Mr. Hathaway and family. We find out Wilder has been to Jupiter, Saturn and We find out Wilder has been to Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune, exploring there – reveals there is nothing else Neptune, exploring there – reveals there is nothing else out there (in space and on other planets) for Humans. out there (in space and on other planets) for Humans. Humans silence Wilder’s dissenting opinions about Humans silence Wilder’s dissenting opinions about human effect on Mars by sending him far away – exile.human effect on Mars by sending him far away – exile.Hathaway’s loneliness leads him to re-create his family, Hathaway’s loneliness leads him to re-create his family, using robots.using robots.Hathaway ends up dying at the end of this chapter, and Hathaway ends up dying at the end of this chapter, and after his death Cpt. Wilder leaves Hathaway’s family on after his death Cpt. Wilder leaves Hathaway’s family on Mars. Mars. He cannot kill them because he believes it is the same He cannot kill them because he believes it is the same as murder. Science Fiction trope of artificial intelligence.as murder. Science Fiction trope of artificial intelligence.

August 2026 There Will Come Soft August 2026 There Will Come Soft RainsRains

Automated house runs the same way as if Automated house runs the same way as if people were there even though no people are people were there even though no people are living there anymore.living there anymore.

The house is the main character of the story.The house is the main character of the story.

Poem shows that nature won’t care if humanity Poem shows that nature won’t care if humanity dies. Points out the war on Earth doesn’t matter.dies. Points out the war on Earth doesn’t matter.

Despite the effort from the house, it could not Despite the effort from the house, it could not save itself from being destroyed. save itself from being destroyed.

Artificial intelligence.Artificial intelligence.

October 2026 The Million-Year October 2026 The Million-Year PicnicPicnic

William Thomas brings his family to Mars, in William Thomas brings his family to Mars, in their own rocket, to get away from Earth. After their own rocket, to get away from Earth. After arriving, Thomas blows up the rocket so no one arriving, Thomas blows up the rocket so no one will find it.will find it.One of Thomas’ friends also came to Mars in a One of Thomas’ friends also came to Mars in a different rocket with four daughters. Thomas and different rocket with four daughters. Thomas and his friend decided they would start anew on his friend decided they would start anew on MarsMarsAt the end, Thomas reveals to his children that At the end, Thomas reveals to his children that they are the new Martians – Noah’s Ark story??? they are the new Martians – Noah’s Ark story??? Adam and Eve??? Adam and Eve???Earth has been destroyed Earth has been destroyed