Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Setting
Mark Watney gets stuck on Mars for almost two years. Two years. That's not a vacation: that's a relocation. Over the course of those treacherous months, Mark becomes acquainted with the red planet...
What's Up With the Title?
In many ways, Mark Watney is the first true Martian.That doesn't mean that he's the first person to visit Mars. Ares 3 is—as its name implies—the third manned mission to the planet, which means...
What's Up With the Ending?
Home, sweet home.After nearly two years of struggle, Mark Watney has finally escaped Mars. That's a pretty impressive feat, especially given that the book starts with the declaration that he will l...
Tough-o-Meter
The toughest part about reading The Martian will be comprehending its massive amount of scientific information. Weir often spends several pages outlining specific technical details, which can certa...