Mark Watney's fight for survival against Mars is as lopsided as a UFC match against Ronda Rousey. Don't get us mistaken: Mark does an incredible job and never gives up for a second. Still, the guy has to know that he's fighting a losing battle. After getting stranded on the planet after a failed space mission, Mark is forced to battle the harsh Martian environment as he scrambles to figure out how to get back home.
The guy doesn't have to deal with any alien space crafts or green-skinned Martian warriors, true, but he still has plenty on his plate: ferocious dust-storms, biting cold, and treacherous landscapes, to name a few. Thankfully, Mark doesn't necessarily have to win this war—he just needs to make it out in one piece.
Questions About Man Versus the Natural World
- What is Mark's most important tool for survival?
- What will Mark's experience teach NASA about Mars?
- Does Mark grow any affection for Mars? Explain.
- How does Mark's personality help him survive on Mars?