BECOMING MARTIAN: AN EXPLORATION OF POSTHUMAN TRANSFORMATION IN RAY BRADBURY’S DARK THEY WERE AND GOLDEN-EYED

Abstract

This research examines the theme of posthuman transformation in Ray Bradbury's science fiction novel, Dark They Were and Golden-Eyed. It focuses on the significant transformation that occurs in the characters' physical and psychological identities as they adapt to Mars. By applying a post-humanist lens, as defined by N. Katherine Hayles in her book How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics. Posthumanism deals with the relationship between humans, technology, and other living beings, The investigation looks into how the characters’ transformations challenge conventional notions of self and belonging. The Martian setting acts as a catalyst for change, reshaping their perceptions, memories, and ultimately, their very essence. This metamorphosis raises questions about the unstable identity and the relationship between humans and their environments, suggesting that adaptation often includes a loss of previous selves. It emphasizes the tensions inborn in human adaptation to alien worlds, reflecting broader themes of displacement and the search for identity in unfamiliar contexts. Through this analysis, the research highlights the significance of transformation as a central theme in Bradbury's work, prompting us to take another look at what it means to be human in an ever-changing universe.