How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I don't even know who'll read this. I guess someone will find it eventually. Maybe a hundred years from now. (1.5)
At this point, Mark doesn't think anyone will even realize that he survived, much less rescue him. This creates a sense of isolation that's both figurative and literal: he's afraid of not only being abandoned but forgotten. Luckily, this pessimistic perspective is quickly squashed by his seemingly limitless supply of optimism.
Quote #2
Mars is a barren wasteland and I am completely alone here. I already knew that, of course. But there's a difference between knowing it and really experiencing it. (7.101)
Whenever Mark goes out on the surface, he gets a brutal reminder of how alone he truly is. The Hab provides a certain degree of comfort—although he still can't communicate with Earth, the mere presence of this man-made building reminds him that there's a home waiting for him. Unsurprisingly, the barren landscape of Mars has the opposite effect.
Quote #3
"Communication would be a great thing. But traversing [...] to Ares 4 is incredibly dangerous. [...] If we could talk to him, we'd certainly tell him that." (8.19)
If NASA could communicate with Mark right now, they'd tell him that communication isn't as important as survival. Luckily for everyone involved, however, Mark isn't that crazy—yet. Although he's not ready to throw caution to the wind and travel to the Ares 4 site, he really needs someone to talk to.