Free Custom «The Fascination with Mars and Martians is prevalent throughout Science Fiction» Essay Paper

Mars is one of the planets that have been speculated to have life though this has not been proven. Martian is anything that pertains to this planet. In most science-fictional works, however, a Martian is an inhabitant of Mars. Scientists have not proven whether there is life, but argue that that there’s evidence of fossilized organisms, which suggest possibility of life many years ago. In the 20^th century, pictures from Mars showed hopes of creatures, or Martians, and this continued in the 21^st century (Bradbury 337). Most of the fiction works describe Martians as peculiar creatures; some of them resembling humans, while others as unimaginable creatures. Science fiction has developed fascination with Mars, because the atmosphere on Mars can support life and has favorable temperature compared to other planets. This is due to its proximity to Earth.

Weinbaum’s story A Martian Odyssey explains the adventures through Mars by one Dick Jarvis in the early 21^st century, which was after the invention of the atomic power (Stanley 78). They landed on Mars, four in number. A week later after landing there, this chemist sets out in another rocket to explore the landscape around Mars and take pictures. This craft crashes, and he decides to walk back in Ares where the other crew members stayed. He comes across a Martian creature with tentacles attacking another bird-like creature, which was carrying a bag around its neck, and decides to save it. This bird-like creature introduces itself as Tweel and manages to pick up some English words. They find pyramids and a creature, which is made of silicon, and not carbon, with scales, one mouth, and a pointed tail emerged and planted itself. The tentacle creature lures its prey by creating illusions. In Bradbury’s book Mars is Heaven, a group of explorers from Earth land on Mars and are astonished at how it looks like Earth 30 years ago. The crew members are shocked when they find that their friends and relatives who had died were there. They scatter to join in celebrating their re-union, and they all get killed, because those Martians had tricked them since they were aliens.

 

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In both books, the Martians are portrayed as crafty and transform to fit the expectations of their victims. They are dangerous creatures, which derive pleasure in killing humans and are intelligent, and can behave like humans in some instances.

They bring out a theme of fear of the unknown as both astronauts and the aliens think the opponent will attack them. The aliens, however, act fast and do not want to take chances though humans were friendly. The theme of having power to read the mind of others has been brought out as the aliens could do this and dupe the humans.

A Martian Odyssey is more effective and describes strange creatures with extraordinary features, which would not possible exist on Earth. The aliens do unnatural things like excreting bricks and transforming to look like familiar people to the crew members.