Symbolism

 

Potatoes are one symbol that reoccurs countlessly in The Martian. The potatoes in the martian represent human perseverance and innovation. Through many man hours and ingenious botany wizardry Mark Watney is able to cultivate potatoes on the surface of mars which he uses in order to survive until the rescue crew arrives. Without Mark Watneys ingenious methods of cultivation and his ability to work through difficulties he may have starved on Mars.