Martian Chronicles Alternate Essay Assignment 3

Ray Bradbury wrote The Martian Chronicles to express his frustration with certain aspects of modern American society. Choose three of the societal problems Bradbury was commenting upon and describe their place in the film using evidence from the text. Explain Bradbury’s position on each issue and explain how he uses the novel to reveal that position. In your introduction, be certain to make reference to the time during which Bradbury was writing and how the issues you chose relate to that time. Finally, as part of your conclusion, answer the following: Is Bradbury right in his view of our world? Why or why not?

Options for societal problems (you can choose others, but this is just a place to begin):

  • Violence and wanton destruction
  • Fear of nuclear war
  • Selfishness
  • Racism
  • Over-reliance on technology
  • Censorship
  • Any others you saw that are not on this list?

Essay planning helps:

Intro:

  • Background info on the time in which Bradbury was writing
  • Your thesis statement when you tell the 3 issues you’ll discuss
  • How the issues you chose relate to the time in which he was writing

Body 1:

  • Issue 1 and Bradbury’s feelings about it
  • Evidence 1 from the novel and an explanation of how/why this piece of evidence shows Bradbury’s concerns
  • Evidence 2 from the novel and an explanation of how/why this piece of evidence shows Bradbury’s concerns
  • Evidence 3 from the novel and an explanation of how/why this piece of evidence shows Bradbury’s concerns

Body 2:

  • Issue 2 and Bradbury’s feelings about it
  • Evidence 1 from the novel and an explanation of how/why this piece of evidence shows Bradbury’s concerns
  • Evidence 2 from the novel and an explanation of how/why this piece of evidence shows Bradbury’s concerns
  • Evidence 3 from the novel and an explanation of how/why this piece of evidence shows Bradbury’s concerns

Body 3:

  • Issue 3 and Bradbury’s feelings about it
  • Evidence 1 from the novel and an explanation of how/why this piece of evidence shows Bradbury’s concerns
  • Evidence 2 from the novel and an explanation of how/why this piece of evidence shows Bradbury’s concerns
  • Evidence 3 from the novel and an explanation of how/why this piece of evidence shows Bradbury’s concerns

Conclusion:

  • Sum up your points
  • Is Bradbury right in his view of our world? Why or why not?