Two Faces of Mars

This article elaborates on two depictions of Mars in Stanisław Lem's fiction, represented in Człowiek z Marsa [The Man from Mars, 1946] and “Ananke” (1971), focusing on the ties to literary tradition and contemporary scientific findings, which helps explain otherwise inexplicable features of the stories. In regard to The Man from Mars, the analysis reveals why Lem has decided to depart from the original evolutionary scenario envisioned by H. G. Wells for his Martians (with The War of the Worlds remaining the sole identifiable inspiration behind Lem's debut). Examination of the influence that contemporary astronomical findings regarding Mars (namely: its atmosphere, water, vegetation, or alleged Martian canals) had on works of Lem and other contemporary writers helps explain why he decided to include two conflicting depictions of the planet within the novel, but decided to present the reader with only one of those directly. In the case of “Ananke,” its pessimism is rooted in a short period of real-life skepticism regarding manned spaceflight, and alleged characteristics of the Red Planet, derived from early findings of the Mariner program.