A science fiction story is set in a new colony on Mars, except for brief flashbacks at the beginning of each chapter. Those flashbacks take place on Earth in large empty meeting rooms, dark alleys, and underground bunkers. They feature powerful people making choices about the Mars project. In the present-day part of the story on Mars, there is a rebellion brewing against the leaders of the colony. The leaders have grown very rich and have hoarded all the limited resources on Mars for themselves. How does setting contribute to the story’s meaning? (1 point) Responses The present-day setting reinforces the theme that new adventures do not always go as people hope or plan for them to go. The present-day setting reinforces the theme that new adventures do not always go as people hope or plan for them to go. The present-day setting highlights how hard people will fight for what they believe in. The present-day setting highlights how hard people will fight for what they believe in. The flashback settings reinforce the idea that big choices were made without the input of the people they would affect. The flashback settings reinforce the idea that big choices were made without the input of the people they would affect. The flashback settings highlight the major differences between life on Earth and life on Mars.

Answer 1

The flashback settings reinforce the idea that big choices were made without the input of the people they would affect. This aspect contributes significantly to the story's meaning, as it elucidates the disconnect between the powerful elites on Earth and the colonists on Mars. By showcasing the clandestine meetings and decision-making processes that exclude the very individuals who inhabit the new colony, the narrative emphasizes themes of powerlessness and the ramifications of greed. The colonists' struggle against their leaders’ exploitation is not just a battle for resources; it also serves as a critique of how decisions impacting lives are often made in isolation from those lives, fostering a sense of betrayal and igniting the rebellion. This juxtaposition of settings deepens the moral implications of the colonization effort on Mars, highlighting how lofty aspirations can become tainted by a failure to consider the common good.