The Martian: Characterization and Reading Discussion Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering literary characterization, technical mission terminology, plot events, and survival science from Andy Weir's The Martian (Chapters 1-9).

Character Traits

Individual qualities or attributes that make up a person's overall personality.

Direct Characterization

Characterization where the author explicitly tells the audience exactly what they want them to know about the character.

Indirect Characterization

Characterization where the author gives hints about the character through figurative language, word choice, or situations.

Mark Watney

A botanist and mechanical engineer on the Ares 3 mission characterized as resourceful, realistic, straightforward, and sarcastic.

MDV

Mars Descent Vehicle.

MAV

Mars Ascent Vehicle.

HAB

Habitat; the primary Martian living installation where Watney establishes his DIY greenhouse.

SEV

Surface Exploration Vehicle (Rovers).

EVA

Extravehicular Activities (spacewalk).

Ares 3 Sandstorm

A Martian storm with winds of $175\,\text{kph}$ ($25\,\text{kph}$ beyond what the ship could withstand), causing the crew to assume Watney was dead and evacuate.

Watney's Immediate Survival Priorities

The critical initial actions required after being stranded: patching up his wound and fixing the broken radios to communicate with mission control.

Water Production Method

The survival procedure where Watney takes hydrogen and burns it to generate water for his DIY greenhouse inside the HAB.

NASA Imagery Evidence

Satellite evidence ordered by Venkat and analyzed by Mindy Park, revealing cleaned solar cells and opened pop tents never deployed by others, confirming Watney was alive.

Log Entries (Watney's Purpose)

Written accounts that allow Watney to track days, complete simple progress checks, and maintain positive mental health.

Log Entries (Reader's Purpose)

Narrative entries that give insight into Watney's feelings, detail Martian occurrences, and provide data for future reference.

Botany Knowledge

Watney's scientific expertise that enables him to combine dirt, seeds, and feces fertilizer to grow potatoes and extend his food supply.

Watney's Sense of Humor

A sarcastic, laid-back coping mechanism that provides comic relief in nerve-wracking circumstances, keeping Watney grounded and preventing him from going crazy.