Survival of Two Men, Robinson Crusoe and Mark Watney by Victor

Andy Weir's “The Martian” Daniel Defoe “Robinson Crusoe”. Two men who are fighting in different environments, for one thing, Survival. These two action-packed books are survival wise very closely related. Both of the books talk about a man who gets left behind. Both Mark Watney and Robinson Crusoe have a similar way of thinking about problems and coping with isolation.

The only differences is the environment. While Crusoe is on earth surviving on an island with cannibals Mark Watney is on mars having trouble with the amount of supplies that will keep him alive. In both “The Martian” and “Robinson Crusoe” the authors use the theme of isolation and 1st person 3rd person narrator to show that being alone isn’t always bad.

Both Daniel Defoe and Andy Weir use 1st and 3rd person throughout out their pieces. 1st and the 3rd person narrator changes a lot throughout the story. I think both authors use the first-person narrator to pull the reader into the moment and emotions that both Mark and Robinson are experiencing in different scenes ‘I will never, never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’ (page 180) Robinson Crusoe. This gives the reader a feel of what it would feel like to be in the moment. However with 3rd person narrator, it allows the reader to get more perspective and to see the bigger picture. When both authors use the third person it allowed people to pay closer attention to the small details while the first person everything was shown through the characters eyes. The third person was also used to transition between scenes or characters. Andy Weir uses 3rd person to talk about Watney’s “death” (page 50).

Isolation is a big theme that comes across throughout both books. When the main characters are isolated and on their own they can really bring out the best of them, even in the worst conditions. Sometimes this isolation can even make them feel extremely abandoned but with concentration, they can fix things and think better about what might be ahead of them. Robinson Crusoe, Mark Watney both experienced many setbacks throughout the story, no matter if it is sickness or hunger they still manage to survive because of isolation. “I was not - nor could I abide the thought of it, though I was alone.” Robinson Crusoe (page 213). Both Mark Watney and Robinson Crusoe keep a log that they want for someone to eventually read I think this is a major part of the isolation theme because even though the chances of them surviving is weak there might be someone who can read their logs and feel what it must have been like. Throughout the story, characters realize that they have hidden strengths and potential. By uncovering these skills and qualities they manage to survive better and make it back to humanity. “He’s stuck out there. He thinks he’s totally alone and that we all gave up on him. What kind of effect does that have on a man’s psychology?” (page 57).

1st Person narrator can be used to look at the story through the main character's eyes with the third person can be used to look at the bigger picture and the surroundings.The third person can also be used to sum up the story or to change from character to character and also to change scenes. The isolation theme comes up a lot throughout each of the stories. It is used by authors to show how characters can develop new skills and qualities throughout the story. these techniques are used throughout the story to show that In both “The Martian” and “Robinson Crusoe” the authors use the theme of isolation and 1st person 3rd person narrator to show that being alone isn’t always bad.