Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed

Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed

Selection Summary

The Bittering family arrives on Mars as part of a small colony. Within moments of their arrival, Mr. Bittering becomes obsessed by the idea of returning to Earth. He senses that he will be changed in some way and becomes fearful of losing his identity. Mr. Bittering begins building a rocket in order to return to Earth. In time, he notices slight but significant changes in his family. Gradually, all of the colonists attain Martian characteristics and begin to use the Martian language. Finally, the family is transformed into a Martian family. Another rocket arrives on Mars and finds no Earthlings.

Harry Bittering and his family arrive as settlers on Mars. While he cannot explain why, Harry has an immediate and visceral reaction to the Martian environment—the wind blowing across the plains, the unsettling atmosphere, the old ruins. He impulsively suggests that the family return to Earth, but his wife Cora, encourages him to have a positive outlook. They walk into town from the rocket, with Harry unable to shake the sense of uncanny foreboding.

Open Ended

What is the family last name?

Open Ended

What Theme is the Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed?

Open Ended

· Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed,” Ask: What mysteries are left unexplained at the end of the story? How does the story’s theme apply to real life?

Selection Vocabulary

convivial adj. A person who is convivial enjoys the company of others in a sociable manner.

subtly adv. To do something subtly means to do it in a manner hard to notice or perceive—that is, not obviously.

idle v. When you idle, you pass time without doing anything purposeful.

forlorn adj. Something that is forlorn appears lonely or sad.

recede v. To recede means to become fainter or more distant.

pendulum n. A pendulum is a weight that is hung so that it can swing freely. Sometimes it is used in timing the workings of certain clocks.

muse v. When you muse, you say something thoughtfully.

GENRE ELEMENTS: SCIENCE FICTION

• explores unexpected possibilities of the past, present, or future mixes scientific facts and theories with imaginative settings and plots usually includes familiar elements and conflicts found in real life

ANALYZE SCIENCE FICTION

Writers of science fiction often present readers with fantastical settings, characters, and events set in the future. At the same time, they often tell stories that in some way comment upon new and emerging science and technology, contemporary society, and human nature in general. As you read Ray Bradbury’s story, use the chart to note characteristics of science fiction.

Assignment Explanation

Persuasive Letter: Claim, Reasons

For this assignment, students write a three-paragraph Persuasive Letter for or against returning to Earth, from the point of view of a character in Ray Bradbury's short story, "Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed." Students begin with a claim that clearly states their position and go on to support their position with at least two strong reasons. Making and supporting a clearly stated claim are essential skills for the end-of-unit Writing Task and all writing in the Argument genre.

Open Ended

Are you for or against returning to Earth?

paragraph 8

The wind blew as if to flake away their identities. At any moment the Martian air might draw his soul from him, as marrow comes from a white bone. He felt submerged in a chemical that could dissolve his intellect and burn away his past.

Multiple Choice

1 Why is paragraph 8 important to the story?

• A It introduces a familiar setting.

• B It helps establish a foreboding mood.

• C It describes realistically what will happen.

• D It describes the most important characters.

Multiple Choice

Rockets stopped coming to Mars because —

• F fuel to power them had run out

• G everyone was dying of a strange illness

• H war had broken out on Earth

• J people no longer wanted to live there

Multiple Choice

Based on the details provided in the selection about the lieutenant’s reaction to Mars, he will most likely —

• A leave Mars and forget about what he has seen

• B try to continue building the old rocket

• C move into a cottage in the American-built town

• D continue visiting the Martians in the hills