Mark Watney in Andy Weir's novel "The Martian" faces numerous challenges after being stranded alone on Mars. He undergoes a transformation in his outlook on survival, problem-solving skills, and emotions, becoming a more resilient and determined person.
At the start of the book, Mark's outlook on survival is bleak. He realizes the odds are stacked against him and that he may never make it back to Earth. However, as he faces each challenge, his attitude shifts, and he becomes more optimistic. As he states in chapter 26, "I'm going to have to science the shit out of this" (Weir, 2014, p. 369). This statement represents a fundamental change in Mark's perspective on survival. He shifts from a defeatist attitude to a proactive and resourceful one, demonstrating his newfound determination and problem-solving skills.
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Early in the book, he struggles to devise solutions to his problems. In chapter 1, he notes, "I'm stranded on Mars. I have no way to communicate with Hermes or Earth. Everyone thinks I'm dead. I'm in a hospital designed to last 31 days. If the oxygenator breaks down, I'll suffocate. If the water reclaimer breaks down, I'll die of thirst. If the Hab breaches, I'll just kind of explode. If none of those things happen, I'll eventually run out of food and starve to death" (Weir, 2014, p. 17). However, by chapter 26, he has become an expert in growing plants on Mars, using his knowledge of chemistry and biology to grow potatoes. He has also devised ingenious solutions to problems such as how to communicate with Earth and how to create water on