Kyleg

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The Martian

by Andy Weir (Goodreads Author)

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Kyleg said: " The Martian Book Review: Kyle Grant
The Martian, by Andy Weir, is a fantastic novel for anyone that likes a journey that inevitably ends with life or death. I recommend this book for everyone; The Martian has a little bit of everything. It follows th The Martian Book Review: Kyle Grant
The Martian, by Andy Weir, is a fantastic novel for anyone that likes a journey that inevitably ends with life or death. I recommend this book for everyone; The Martian has a little bit of everything. It follows the Hero's Archetype by Joseph Campbell. His theory has the classic hero’s journey that consists of departure, quest, and return. This is also similar to the journey that Odysseus took in the Odyssey has many of the same symbols and themes of overcoming large tasks to stay alive and return home as The Martian by Andy Weir, where an astronaut named Mark Watney is on a psychological and physical journey to stay alive on a mission to Mars called Ares 3. Just like Odysseus on his grueling journey to stay alive while at sea, Mark is also on a tumultuous quest to get home. Mark is the only human on Mars after his crew evacuates, and similarly, Odysseus is the last member alive on his journey at sea. Both Odysseus and Mark overcame a series of challenging obstacles such as: lack of communication, willpower against temptation, and trusting in themselves to break norms and rules not only allowing them to finish their quest, but also gave them hubristic and humble traits that will help them overcome future obstacles like starting an academy and returning to past relationships.
In an unknown environment, Mark and Odysseus portray the departure phase of the hero’s journey. Odysseus is called during his son's birth and Mark is stranded on Mars, struck by debris, and left stranded alone. Mark is then faced with multiple obstacles to return home safely. “[The communications panel] tore through [his] suit like a bullet through butter, and [he] felt the worst pain of [his] life as it ripped open [his] side”(pg 4). Mark is the only human on Mars after his crew evacuates, and similarly, Odysseus is the last member alive on his journey at sea.(pg 4)
Each quest had its ups and downs that Mark and Odysseus had to overcome in order to stay alive and return home. As Mark is traveling through the crater, his rover tips over and causes Mark to be set back four days. (Pg 310) After overcoming this task (pg 316)Mark got his rover working again by using electrical cable as rope to keep moving and stay alive.(pages 315-316) The resourcefulness that Mark showed shares a lot of similarities to when Odysseus sent out a search party to the lotus eaters in order to save his men. Both Mark and Odysseus, using their wit, made a situation that could have been detrimental into a manageable situation.
Returning home is always an excellent part in a novel. With mark returning to Earth and Odysseus returning to Ithaca. All though Mark was happiest he’s ever been(pg 369) returning home it wasn’t the most pleasant return. In the process of getting to the Hermes he broke two ribs(pg 367). Much like being happy on return there are down sides. Odysseus had to return home as a beggar and wasn't allowed to show his real identity until he completed his test for his marriage.
Both Odysseus and Mark overcame a series of challenging obstacles such as: lack of communication, willpower against temptation, and trusting in themselves to break norms and rules not only allowing them to finish their quest, but also gave them hubristic and humble traits that will help them overcome future obstacles like starting an academy and returning to past relationships. In conclusion The Martian and The Odyssey are similar based on events and obstacles that took place through both novels during the hero's journey. ...more "

Dec 16, 2018 07:57PM · see review