Week Two Mid-Week Discussion

[Debbie]

Week two midweek question.

At the end of this section it's SOL 211 and the rescue is scheduled for SOL 549 still by my calculations over a year away.
How are you at actualizing the time span this novel is taking?

Let’s talk about Mark’s letters.
Do you think he’s given up as he’s writing these or are these, just in case?

[Debbie]

Susan wrote: "Mark will never give up, but he will need to keep busy thats going to be his down fall"

I think you're right Susan

[April]

As I'm reading, there are times when all of a sudden I realize just how many days Mark has been stranded on Mars. It's hard for me to imagine being isolated for only a few days and here Mark is approaching a year. To be able to keep his wits and humor amaze me as I read this book.

I don't think Mark is giving up by writing his letters. To me it sounded more like something he was ordered to do than something he felt he needed to do for himself. In fact, with all the humor injected into his letters, I get the impression that he has no intention of these being delivered.

[Debbie]

April wrote: "As I'm reading, there are times when all of a sudden I realize just how many days Mark has been stranded on Mars. It's hard for me to imagine being isolated for only a few days and here Mark is app..."

Thanks April, yeah I didn't think he was giving up either because of his general outlook. Thanks!

[[deleted user]]

I don't think he was giving up either. I think the letters helped fill a void. I think with his sarcastic personality, he had to express himself somehow to keep his sanity and the letters were the perfect outlet! Because he was such a smart alec, I think he wanted the letters to be read.

[Debbie]

TarHeelGirl00 wrote: "I don't think he was giving up either. I think the letters helped fill a void. I think with his sarcastic personality, he had to express himself somehow to keep his sanity and the letters were the ..."

very good observation TarHeelGirl, thanks!

[[deleted user]]

Susan wrote: "I also think thats how he joked around with them while they were together."

I think so too!