Dark They Were, And Golden-Eyed

Analysis

Although this short narrative is narrated in the third person, Harry is the focus of the most of the
conversation and descriptions. As a result, the reader carefully follows Harry's development as he
arrives on Mars and adjusts to his new surroundings. Even though the entire family is becoming
accustomed to Mars, the reader has a difficult time understanding how they feel about the changes
that are occurring. We only notice the most dramatic changes in their thinking and actions at
intervals of time, thus Harry looks to be having the greatest trouble adjusting to Mars. This isn't
always the case, but it looks to be due of Bradbury's usage of point of view.

In the narrative, the process of naming and renaming is quite meaningful. The natural features of
Mars, such as the Roosevelt Seas, Ford Hills, and Vanderbilt Plateaus, were dubbed by the first
Earth colonists. Throughout history, powerful colonial powers have repeatedly renamed conquered
areas. The British are known for renaming towns and avenues in their colonies, and a Queen
Elizabeth boulevard in Nairobi, Kenya, is not unusual. When Harry begins to lose his allegiance
to Earth and begins repeating archaic Martian words, it is clear that naming is strongly linked to
identity. When the "rescuers" arrive five years later, they, too, begin to rename the planet's natural
features in order to imbue the land with their own identities.

Another topic of change that emerges from the renaming process is how it may happen both
actively and passively. At first, Harry is afraid of change, especially change that he does not want
to happen. The gold glitter in their eyes or their progressive thinning and extending into tall, lean
people are examples of gradual metamorphosis. Active change, in contrast to passive change, is
also present. Harry and his friends decide to leave the town, a significant departure from their
previous reliance on the town and Earth-like existence. They begin to transform even more
dramatically into Martians as a result of their decision.

Their intentional decision for change contrasts beautifully with the acceptance vs. opposition
dichotomy. This argument arises within Harry, who first wishes to return to Earth immediately
away. He fights the changes that occur within him, and he panics when he notices them
approaching. Following his wife's insistence, he ultimately accepts the adjustments. Harry begins
to take time away from the rocket project and spend more leisure time in the Martian countryside
with her approval and that of the other inhabitants.

Finally, memory plays a significant role in the plot. It connects to concepts like name, resistance,
and acceptance. The new settlers hope that renaming the physical elements of Mars will bring back
memories of Earth, which they will need to thrive on the new world. They want to remember where
they came from, and they carry a model of a conventional Boston home as well as all of the
American vegetables they are accustomed to on Earth. They want to remember their homes and
not let those memories go away. It's a battle to remember until they ultimately embrace their new
habitats, at which point they fully forget about Earth.