The Martian Chronicles
By Ray Bradbury
Setting
Place
• Mars and America
Time
• 20th century/technologically advanced
Mood—Sharp Contrast
• Elegiac mood (somber)
• Ironic—sometimes humorous/sometimes dark or bitter
*Reading Strategy—What is happening in plot when
contrast occurs?
Style
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3rd person omniscient
Allegorical
Poetic description
Straight-forward declarative sentences are
contrasted with metaphorical description
*Reading Strategy—Pay attention to what is
happening in the plot when he lapses into
poetic style
Major Characters
Mainly communities or planets
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Earthians who explore Mars
Other Earthians
Earth
Mars
Martians
Minor Characters
Individuals most important to themes
• Nathaniel York-Captain Of 1st expedition
• Jonathon Williams-Captain Of 2nd
expedition
• John Black-Captain of 3rd expedition
• Wilder-Captain of 4th Expedition
Minor characters
• Jeff Spender-Archaeologist of 4th
• Hathaway-Physician/geologist of 4th
• Sam Parkhill-crewman on the 4th
• William Thomas-Settles his family on Mars
before the War
*Reading Strategy—What does each represent
and how does it develop theme?
Plot Summary
(Man vs. Nature/Man vs. Man)
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History of the settlement of Mars by Americans
Several expeditions fail
Martians are destroyed/colonies flourish
“Great War” breaks out as thousands of
immigrants were to colonize Mars
• Mass exodus back to Earth
Reading Strategy-What connections does
Bradbury make to America’s history?
Themes
• Progress of civilization
• Negative consequences of colonization
• Hubris of human achievement
• Desire for freedom and opportunity
• Nostalgic view of past
*Reading Strategy-Determine which characters
and stories relate to themes. Which stories
suggest other “Bradburian” themes ( oppression,
censorship, instant gratification, equality, etc.)?
Analysis Format for Chapter Notes
Chapter Title:
I. Characters:
A. protagonistB. antagonistII. Conflict
A. mainB. minorIII. Summary (3-5 sentences for problem, climax, outcome)
IV. Themes
A.
B.
V. Golden Line (memorable quote/ explanation-MLA style):
VI. Connection to Fahrenheit 451’s themes:
Sample
January 1999: Rocket Summer
I. Characters: no specific ones
A. rocket
B. winter
II. Conflict
A.
major: Man (technology) vs. Nature
B.
minor: none
III. Summary: A rocket descends on a small town. This brings summer
temporarily to the town in January as it melts the snow. People are in
awe of the power of technology.
IV. Theme: Power of technology and threat to nature
Energy vs. stagnation (summer=youth; winter=death)
V. Quote: “The rocket stood in the cold winter morning, making summer with
every breath of its mighty exhausts” (Bradbury, 1). This quote
personifies the rocket as living and as both powerful and a symbol of
change which makes it a great opening for the novel.
VI. Technology vs. natural world in F. 451
Reading/Chapter Analysis
Vocabulary 1 (due: Friday)
• Read pgs.1-31 “Rocket Summer” through
“Taxpayer.”
• Do Chapter Analyses (You may use my
sample for the first story)
• DO NOT PLAGIARIZE OTHER
STUDENTS’ WORK!
• Do Vocabulary 1