Read the following chapters for class:
- Rocket Summer
- Ylla
- The Summer Night
- The Earth Men
Group “B” or “F” should answer TWO of the following:
Q1: Why is Mr. K so antagonistic about his wife’s dreams
about strange men from the “third planet”? What does he think these dreams
mean? Or, why is she so excited about the prospect that these dreams are real?
Q2: As we discussed in class, The Martian Chronicles was
written in the late 40’s and published in 1950. Like many science fiction
writers, Bradbury liked to use metaphors of the future, aliens, space travel,
etc. to examine his own culture. Where do you see him doing this? Discuss a
short passage where he seems to be talking more about 1950’s earth than the
culture of another planet.
Q3: What is strange about how the Martians react to “The
Earth Men” in Chapter Four? Why aren’t they excited to see them and learn about
a foreign culture? Also, why do all of them wear masks, which they change
depending on their mood or surroundings (like the little girl who puts on an
“expressionless mask” when interrogated by the astronaut)?
Q4: When the Earth Men try to convince the psychologist,
Mr.Xxx that the spaceship is real, he responds, “May I congratulate you? You
are a psychotic genius!...Your insanity is beautifully complete!” Why can’t he
believe that the ship, and the astronauts, are actually real? Does he ever
waver in this belief (and if so, why)?
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