Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void

Mary RoachNonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2010

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue and Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-13

Chapters 13-16

Key Figures

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

What role does humor play in Roach’s work? How does comedy, fun, and irreverence function in her writing? Is her humor ever inappropriate or disrespectful? Why or why not?

Roach positions herself as a well-informed outsider. What is the purpose of this role? How does she mediate between technical/scientific writing and popular writing?

What does Roach mean when she states, “Space doesn’t just encompass the sublime and the ridiculous. It erases the line between” (18). What are some examples that illustrate the mixture of the sublime and ridiculous?