The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury is a collection of short stories with many possible connections, the one that is most prevalent is manipulation. Such as, manipulation to obey, kill, and save. This collection of stories involves multiple missions to Mars by the people of Earth. During the multiple missions there is Martian contact. With contact made, Earth people manipulate themselves and the Martians. First, manipulation to obey connects several stories. Such as, spousal manipulation. In this setting, Mr. and Mrs. K, married Martians. The wife, Mrs. K, dreams of the first mission to land on Mars. Mrs. K tells Mr. K of her dream, that in the dream the captain asks her to return to Earth with him. Unhappy with this information, Mr. K fabricates a story to keep Mrs. K at home, as a result, he …show more content…
K asks her “you will be here, won’t you?” (13). In another event in the book, an older couple, La Farge and Anna, their deceased son returns to them during the night after being deceased on Earth for many years. This boy is a Martian changeling and La Farge is aware of it. He and Anna accept it into their home as their long-deceased son. Anna decides they need a trip into the town, however, their son advises against it because he may become trapped. The boy finally relents and they make the trip upriver to the town. While in town, the changeling transforms into another deceased person and La Farge goes to find it, telling it “you’ve got to come” (169). The changeling follows, as a result winds up changing countless times on the way to the boat and dying half Martian half Earthling. Second, the manipulation theme continues to connect stories with the manipulation to kill coming through as well. On the third expedition to Mars, Captain Black and his crew land successfully near a small town. When they enter this town, it is eerily familiar to Captain Black. He and