The Martian
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26
Themes
All Themes Science, Human Ingenuity, and the Fight to Survive Bureaucracy vs. Human Endeavour Solitude and the Human Need for Connection The Betrayal of the Familiar The Media
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Mark Watney Commander Melissa Lewis Major Rick Martinez Beth Johanssen Teddy Sanders Mindy Park Annie Montrose Mitch Henderson Dr. Irene Shields Watney’s mother
Symbols
All Symbols The Potatoes The RTG The Dust Storm
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The Martian

by

Andy Weir

Upgrade to A+
Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9
  • Chapter 10
  • Chapter 11
  • Chapter 12
  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 14
  • Chapter 15
  • Chapter 16
  • Chapter 17
  • Chapter 18
  • Chapter 19
  • Chapter 20
  • Chapter 21
  • Chapter 22
  • Chapter 23
  • Chapter 24
  • Chapter 25
  • Chapter 26
Themes
  • All Themes
  • Science, Human Ingenuity, and the Fight to Survive Theme Icon
    Science, Human Ingenuity, and the Fight to Survive
  • Bureaucracy vs. Human Endeavour Theme Icon
    Bureaucracy vs. Human Endeavour
  • Solitude and the Human Need for Connection Theme Icon
    Solitude and the Human Need for Connection
  • The Betrayal of the Familiar Theme Icon
    The Betrayal of the Familiar
  • The Media Theme Icon
    The Media
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • Mark Watney
  • Commander Melissa Lewis
  • Major Rick Martinez
  • Beth Johanssen
  • Teddy Sanders
  • Mindy Park
  • Annie Montrose
  • Mitch Henderson
  • Dr. Irene Shields
  • Watney’s mother
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • The Potatoes Symbol Icon
    The Potatoes
  • The RTG Symbol Icon
    The RTG
  • The Dust Storm Symbol Icon
    The Dust Storm
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
Download this Chart (PDF)
Download the Teacher Edition
Download this Chart (PDF)

The Martian Study Guide

It's easy to cite LitCharts for use in academic papers and reports.


MLA

Frisella, Emily. "The Martian." LitCharts. LitCharts LLC, 1 Mar 2017. Web. 17 May 2025.


Chicago

Frisella, Emily. "The Martian." LitCharts LLC, March 1, 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2025. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-martian.

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