Class 8 The Million-Year Picnic by Ray Bradbury In Ray Bradbury’s

The Million-Year Picnic by Ray Bradbury In Ray Bradbury’s

“The Million-Year Picnic”, a family embarks on what seems to be a fishing trip on Mars. However, as Timothy, the eldest son, observes his parents closely, he realises the trip is much more than just a vacation. The family has left Earth in a rocket amid chaotic conditions, and they arrive on Mars with the intention of starting a new life.

Dad, who seems unusually calm yet thoughtful, steers the boat through Mars' canals. Along the way, the family spots a dead Martian city, which interests the children but leaves Dad with a sense of relief. As the family floats down the canal, Timothy thinks the vast supplies of food and provision that they’ve hidden away, hinting that their stay will be long-term.

Suddenly, the sound of explosions erupts, and Dad quickly manoeuvres the boat to hide themselves. But it turns out that Dad has blown up their rocket to prevent anyone from Earth from finding them or forcing them to return. His actions confirm that the family has left Earth for good, escaping its destruction and seeking refuge on Mars.

As they continue their journey, Dad asks the children to pick a Martian city to live in. After passing several, the family chooses a large city where they decide to settle. The children are thrilled, though Michael, the youngest, is initially upset by the idea of leaving Earth behind. Dad reassures him, offering the entire Martian city to his sons, promising a fresh start for their family.

In a quiet conversation with Timothy, Dad explains that their departure was carefully planned. He had hidden a rocket for twenty years, preparing for the possibility of escaping Earth’s collapse. Now on Mars, Dad tells Timothy that they have cut all ties to their old life, ensuring that they can never return and that they will remain hidden from those who might come looking for them.

Summary in Paragraph (Reading)

 The story is about a family who travels to Mars, pretending it is just a fishing trip. Timothy, the oldest son, soon realises that they left Earth because things were going very wrong there. His father stays calm but is clearly thinking deeply about their future. As they travel through the quiet Martian canals, they see empty Martian cities. The children are curious, but Dad seems relieved. When they hear loud explosions, the children worry, but it turns out Dad has blown up their rocket so that no one from Earth can find them or force them to return.

Dad then tells the children to choose a Martian city where they can start a new life. The family finally picks a large city to settle in. Michael, the youngest, is sad about leaving Earth, but Dad comforts him by promising a fresh beginning. Later, Dad explains to Timothy that he had secretly prepared this escape for twenty years. Now that they are on Mars, they will stay hidden, build a new home, and leave their old life on Earth behind forever.

Notebook Work


Summary in Points (For Writing )

       1.      A family travels to Mars, pretending it is a fishing trip.

2.      Timothy notices that his parents seem nervous and secretive.

3.      The family has actually escaped Earth because it is in chaos.

4.      They travel through Martian canals and pass empty, abandoned Martian cities.

5.      Dad feels relieved to be away from Earth and its problems.

6.      The family has stored a lot of supplies, showing they plan to stay on Mars permanently.

7.      Explosions are heard, but they turn out to be Dad blowing up their rocket.

8.      Dad destroys the rocket so no one from Earth can find them or take them back.

9.      Dad lets the children choose a Martian city to live in.

10.  Michael, the youngest son, is sad about leaving Earth, but Dad comforts him.

11.  Dad explains privately to Timothy that he planned their escape for twenty years.

12.  The family will now start a new life on Mars, cut off from Earth forever.

Setting

• Place:

  • The story takes place on Mars, mainly along its quiet canals and in abandoned Martian cities.

  • These places are empty, silent, and strange, giving a feeling of mystery and new beginnings.

• Time:

  • It happens in the future, after Earth has fallen into chaos, war, and destruction.

  • The exact year isn’t given, but it is a time when space travel is possible for families.

• Atmosphere/Mood:

  • The mood starts as mysterious because the trip seems like a simple picnic but something feels wrong.

  • It becomes tense when explosions are heard.

  • Finally, it turns hopeful and peaceful as the family chooses a Martian city to build a new life.

• Social Background:

• Earth is in a state of collapse—war, destruction, and danger.

• Mars becomes a quiet, untouched world where the family hopes to start fresh.
  
  

Central Idea

A family secretly escapes Earth’s destruction and moves to Mars to begin a new and safer life, leaving behind their troubled past.

Themes

• Escape and survival – leaving Earth to avoid danger.

• New beginnings – starting life again on Mars.

• Family and protection – parents doing everything to keep their children safe.

• Destruction vs. hope – Earth is collapsing, but Mars offers a fresh start.

• Secrecy and trust – the father hides the truth until the right moment.
  
  Message

The story suggests that even in times of crisis and destruction, people can find hope, start over, and rebuild a better future if they have courage and unity.

Perspective

• The story is told mostly through Timothy’s point of view, showing his growing understanding of the truth.
  
  Characters

• Dad – calm, wise, protective, planned the escape for years.

• Mom – supportive, worried, but hopeful for a new beginning.

• Timothy – eldest son, observant, mature, understands the situation.

• Michael – younger son, emotional, misses Earth.
  
  Literary Devices

• Symbolism – Mars symbolises hope and new beginnings; the destroyed rocket symbolises cutting ties with the past.

• Imagery – descriptions of canals, cities, and explosions create vivid scenes.

• Foreshadowing – Timothy noticing the supplies hints that the trip is permanent.

• Irony – the “picnic” is actually an escape from destruction.

• Mood shift – from mystery and tension to relief and hope.
  
  Title Justification: The Million-Year Picnic

• The title suggests a long, peaceful break—possibly lasting “a million years.”

• It contrasts sharply with the danger on Earth.

• What seems like a simple picnic is actually the beginning of a new future for humanity on Mars.

• The title highlights the idea of escaping chaos for a long, safe, and hopeful new life.