The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury

1. The Martian Chroniclesby Ray Bradbury Adam Casper College Prep Writing

2. Plot Summary The Martian Chronicles tells the story of the colonization of Mars. In the beginning, the Martians had no idea who the Earth Men were, but the Earth Men moved in. Mars falls under the complete control of the Earth Men after the Fourth Expedition and the Martians soon become extinct. After some years, Earth goes into a huge nuclear war, and everyone on Mars is called back to help. After a couple more years, two families sneak away from Earth in rockets, and start over on Mars, becoming the “new” Martians.

3. The Theme!!! The theme of the book is the fight for control. The Earth Men’s fight for control is apparent throughout the whole book. Every chapter contains some sort of control through the Earth Men, whether it be control over the planet, or control over the Martians minds.

4. ConqueringMars The first example of the fight for control is from the landing of the Fourth Expedition. “Jeff Spender waited for the noise. He watched the other men and waited for them to jump around and shout. It would happen as soon as the numbness of being the “first” men to Mars wore off. None of them said anything, but many of them were hoping, perhaps, that the other expeditions had failed and that this, the Fourth, would be the one. They meant nothing evil by it. But they stood thinking of the honor and fame…” (48)

5. The Further Conquering of Mars The Earth Men want to control their new environment they are settling. “In six months a dozen small towns had been laid down upon the naked planet, filled with sizzling neon tubes and yellow electric bulbs. In all, some ninety thousand people came to Mars, and more, on Earth, were packing their grips….” (78)

6. The Controlling of Martian Minds Through telepathy, the Earth Men can change the Martians into whatever they want to perceive them as. The Earth Men are not aware of this, but the Martians are, and they can’t do anything about it. “Tom screamed. Before their eyes he changed. He was Tom and James and a man named Switchman, another named Butterfield; he was the town mayor, and the young girl Judith and the husband William and the wife Clarisse. He was melting wax shaping to their minds. They shouted, they pressed forward, pleading. He screamed, threw out his hands, his face dissolving to each demand. “Tom!” cried LaFarge. “Alice!” cried another. “William!” They snatched his wrists, whirled him about, until with one last shriek of horror he fell.” (130)

7. The Control of Their Lives After the all of the Earth Men go back to Earth to fight in the nuclear war, a few come back later. They do this to escape the violence of the war, and to start over their own lives. “ “I’ve always wanted to see a Martian,” said Michael. “Where are they, Dad? You promised.” “There they are,” said Dad, and he shifted Michael on his shoulder and pointed straight down. The Martians were there. Timothy began to shiver. The Martians were there-in the canal-reflected in the water. Timothy and Michael and Robert and Mom and Dad. The Martians stared back up at them for a long, long silent time from the rippling water….” (181)

8. It’s a Great Book!!! Things I like about this book: • Quick and easy. • Short and smooth. • Easy to understand. • Good story.