Dark They Were and Golden Eyed by Ray Bradbury

Dark They Were and Golden Eyed by Ray Bradbury

About Author

Ray Douglas Bradbury known as Ray Bradbury (1920 – 2012) was born in Waukegan, Illinois. He was an American author and screenwriter best known for his contributions to the science fiction and fantasy genres. 

His remarkable work, Fahrenheit 451, a dystopian novel is a classic exploration of censorship and intellectual freedom that depicts a future society where books are banned and “firemen” burn any found. His writing style is poetic-like and vivid prose that brings to life the imaginative worlds he created.

He also wrote numerous short stories. Bradbury’s influence extends beyond literature, as he became a prominent figure in American popular culture. His works have been adapted into various films, television shows, and radio dramas. He was a passionate advocate for the importance of libraries, reading, and the preservation of intellectual freedom.

His other notable works are The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, The Veldt, The October Country, Dandelion Wine, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Green Shadows, and White Whale. His screenplays and television scripts include Moby Dick and It Came from Outer Space.

Summary

The Bittering family came to Mars by a space rocket to escape a nuclear war on Earth. When they landed, they were not at all received by any Martian. The Martians were quite unsocial and inhospitable. This had a bad impression on the Bitterings. The Martians rather got scared of their guests.

Thinking about a return to Earth, he plans to prepare his rocket after Earth’s spaceships are destroyed in a war, leaving them stranded. However, strange changes appear on Mars, with plants and animals transforming. Before Bittering can use his rocket, he and the other Earthmen change themselves. They became Martians. 

Harry began to feel a change. He wanted to go back to the earth. By and by, the Bitterings got used to the Martian climate. They built a cottage for them. They also grew crops but they had to be very cautious about eating crops grown there by them.

The wind badly damaged and burst the paint. The Bitterings had to face Martian virus wind and haunted places. The people of Mars were frank, friendly, civilized, and peaceful. They were good at English. They had no interest in the news of war on the earth. They were quite relaxed and relieved.

They were jovial to be safe and sound on Mars. After some time, they got sad when they knew that they could not be back to Earth. They, on Mars, found all the towns calm, deserted, and empty. The scorching air of Mars tore the houses into many pieces. The haze at night changed the form of the boards. 

When a rescue mission from Earth arrives years later, expecting to find stranded Earthmen, they discover a population of fully transformed Martians with a surprising affinity for the English language. The Bitterings had to face the adverse atmosphere of Mars. After hearing the news of the atomic bomb, they wept and got silent. They thought that they could not go back after a long time.

Theme of the Story

Ray Bradbury’s Dark They Were and Golden Eyes is a story of transformation, loss of identity, and fear of living on Earth which is becoming a place of nuclear war. It is set on Mars where 1000 settlers including the Bittering family, shiffted from Earth to save them from nuclear war. When they were stranded on Mars, they began to be transformed and finally became Martians. 

The fear of the unknown, and the impact of alien environments on human nature was always there among the Bittering family. It remained an unbidden partner at every midnight talk and every morning awakening. 

It foretells the complex future of mankind. The writer’s narrative is that life can be possible only on the earth. Bradbury’s idea serves as a metaphor for the broader human experience of getting familiar with the unfamiliar and adapting to change. It unfolds the complex relationship between individuals and the environments they inhabit.

Analysis of the Story

Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed by Ray Bradbury is a science fiction short story. It was published in 1949. The narrative follows the Bittering family, Harry, and Cora with their three children Dan, Laura, and David among the first Earth colonizers on Mars.

Harry Bittering( patriarch) experiences nostalgia for Earth upon their arrival. Although there is an absence of living Martians and the ruins of old cities, Harry wishes to return home. At the outset, Earth faces a catastrophe, and all rockets back to Earth are destroyed, leaving the Bittering family stranded on Mars

The once-reluctant settlers must now adapt to their new reality. However, as they settle into their new life, strange and unsettling changes occur. The Martian environment influences not only the physical aspects, such as the color of plants and animals but also the very essence of the Earthmen themselves. 

Over time, the Bittering family undergoes a profound physical and cultural transformation, becoming Martians in every sense. The story explores the human capacity for adaptation and the vital influence of unfamiliar surroundings on one’s identity. 

Bradbury skillfully weaves a tale that challenges preconceived notions about home and explores the consequences of embracing the unknown. The story is an exquisite example of Bradbury’s ability to blend science fiction with richly evocative storytelling that leaves readers to reflect on the resilience of human nature in the face of the alien and the mysteriousness.

At last, their lives changed on Mars. Mr. Bittering’s eyes began to be of gold color. At last, the rocket men came to Mars to bring back all those earthly people who had arrived on Mars five years ago. But they failed to distinguish them as all the earth’s people had become dark with golden eyes. 

Use of Literary Devices

The literary devices used in Dark They Were and Golden-Eyed are:

  • Symbolism: The title of  Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed has symbolism. The dark signifies the unknown and alien, while golden-eyed may symbolize the human desire to hold onto familiarity and humanity amidst change.
  • Imagery: Throughout the story, the hints and indications foresee the transformation of the characters and the change of environment on Mars. The changes in flora and fauna informs the final metamorphosis of the Earthmen. The descriptions of the Martian environment contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story.
  • Metaphor: The characters pass through physical and psychological changes that serve as a metaphorical exploration of the impact of new surroundings on identity.
  • Irony: The irony is found in the fact that the characters, initially afraid of Martian changes, end up becoming Martians themselves. The very thing they sought to escape becomes an integral part of their identity.

Questions from Exercise

Q.1  Why did Harry want to go back to earth?

Ans: Harry wanted to go back to Earth as he did not like the strangeness on Mars. He was afraid of losing his surroundings. In reality, he intended to save his family from the loss of Identity. Moreover, his family could not bear such a hot and severe climate on Mars

Q. 2 Why did Harry want to stay on Mars after spending some time?

Ans: Seeing the hot climate of Mars, Harry did not want to stay on it. He was afraid and knew that staying on Mars means to lose their identity and intellect.

Q. 3 What kind of climate was faced by the Bittering family?

Ans: The climate of Mars was sweltering and they had to face the adverse environment of Mars and the blazing sun. The summer winds were so hot that burnt everything. The fog at night was very painful.

Q. 4 What was the condition of the Bittering family on hearing the news of the attack of the atomic bomb on the Earth?

Ans: When they heard the news of war on Earth, they were shocked. They cried and wept. Laura stumbled and wept. Sweat popped out of Harry’s face and hands. They thought that they were in prison and would never be able to go back to earth for a long time.

Q. 5 What did they want to grow in their garden on Mars?

Ans: They desired to grow crops: peach trees and onions in their garden on Mars. These crops gave a different taste from the crops of the earth. They got scared. 

Q. 6 What was the condition of their house?

Ans: The wind burnt their house completely. The paint of their house was warped. The night fog had completely changed the form of the boards.

Q. 7 What was the advice Harry gave to people?

Ans. Harry advised people to give him their hands to build a rocket so that they could go back to Earth. He informed them about the complete transformation of their skin and eye color. He was apprehended that the climate of Mars would change them completely into Martians. Moreover, he adored his earthly manner and his home.

Q. 8 How dangerous a Martian virus could be?

Ans. The Martian virus is a threat of change that could flake away their identities. It could change the color of their body and eyes and their physical structure by making them thinner and more slender.

Q. 9 What circumstances did the Bittering family face on Mars?

Ans. Bittering’s family faced a roasting and severe climate on Mars. There was haze at night. Physical changes, the Martian virus, wind, and haunted places were the most challenging conditions on Mars that the Bittering family faced over there.

Q.10  How social were the people of Mars?

Ans: The people of Mars were frank, friendly, civilized, and peaceful. They were good at English. They showed no interest in the news of war on the earth. They were quite relaxed and comforted.

Q. 11  How did the life change finally was this better or worse?

Ans. The life changed finally on Mars. Their eyes became golden. The color of their skin became dark. They were now black, golden, eyed, slender, and tall. They could learn English fast. They became more friendly, and social. All this was a good change.

Q. 12 Write the story in your own words.

Ans. The story is about the Earth People who reached Mars. They faced a severe and hot climate on Mars. They reached Mars to escape from the war on Earth. But now they wanted to go back to earth. The Martian virus had changed their identities. It flaked away their intellect. So, they remained on Mars forever and ever.

Q. 13 What differences can you point out in the lifestyle of people of two different planets?

Ans. The people of Earth are selfish pugnacious and greedy. On the other hand, the people of Mars are frank, friendly, and social. They are also peaceful. Physically the people of Mars are tall, slim, young, and golden-eyed.

About the Author

Anila Ibrahim

An educationist, web content writer, equipped with an LLB and a Master’s degree in English Literature, as well as a Master of Philosophy in Entrepreneurship. She has a comprehensive understanding of both the English language and the educational landscape. This academic background empowers Anila to deliver content that is not only informative but also thoroughly researched.

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