The Martian Chronicles By Ray Bradbury Setting Place

The Martian Chronicles By Ray Bradbury

Setting Place • Mars and America Time • 20 th 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 • • 3 rd 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 • • • Earthians who explore Mars Other Earthians Earth Mars Martians

Minor Characters Individuals most important to themes • Nathaniel York-Captain Of 1 st expedition • Jonathon Williams-Captain Of 2 nd expedition • John Black-Captain of 3 rd expedition • Wilder-Captain of 4 th Expedition

Minor characters • Jeff Spender-Archaeologist of 4 th • Hathaway-Physician/geologist of 4 th • Sam Parkhill-crewman on the 4 th • 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) • • 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. protagonist. B. antagonist. II. Conflict A. main. B. minor. III. 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