The Man Who Walked on the Moon

by J.G Ballard (1985)

J.G. Ballard (1930–2009)

J.G. Ballard, born in Shanghai, China, is a notable British science fiction author. Even though
he attended King’s College, Cambridge, he left without a degree. His first short stories
appeared in the 1950s. Beginning in the 1960s, Ballard wrote longer works, including The
Drowned World (1962), The Wind from Nowhere (1962), The Burning World (1964), and The
Crystal World (1966). Ballard’s essays and reviews were compiled in A User’s Guide to the
Millennium (1996). The Complete Short Stories of J.G. Ballard was released in two volumes
in 2006. An autobiography, Miracles of Life, was published in 2008.

Historical, Cultural, and Literary Context:

During World War II, Ballard spent four years of his boyhood in a prison camp near Shanghai.
This incident affected his childhood and is reflected in his autobiographical novel Empire of
the Sun. The setting also kindled his vision of an apocalyptic world, which is reflected in his
writings. J.G. Ballard’s style is characterized by social commentaries and an exploration of
individual identity.

*Teachers should introduce students to the P.E.E.E. chain for all short and longer written
responses.
P=Point. What is the point you are trying to make?
E=Evidence. What evidence will you use to support the point you made?
E=Explanation. How does the evidence used support the point you made?
E=Effect. What is the effect on the audience?

Teacher’s Notes and Suggestions:

Refer to the glossary of literary terms for dehumanization and cyclic narratives.
More on the cyclic form and narrative: Its function is to create a sense of entrapment, conflict,
and non-closure or to create a sense of resolution by ending the poem’s conflict at the end.
Unreliable Narrator: One whose views cannot be fully trusted by the reader, perhaps because
the narrator is too young to understand events fully, is biased in some way, does not know
everything, or perhaps is a liar or an exaggerator.

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Lesson 1 – Guiding Questions

1. Explain the significance of beginning the story with the phrase “I, too, was once an
astronaut.” (E.RL.01.9-10.1)

• This introductory sentence grasps readers’ attention and drives them to believe that they
will be reading about the life of a successful astronaut and his grandiose feats in space.

2. How does this phrase contradict the narrator’s description of his life in the introductory
paragraphs? What is the intended effect on the audience? (E.RL.01.9-10.6.1)

• Even though readers are drawn into the mystery behind this astronaut, the illusion is
quickly shattered when the narrator describes himself as dressed in shabby clothes and
amidst idle experiences. The narrator wishes that readers do not judge his demeanor,
brim with an aura of failure, but rather give in to his story and understand how he
reached such a menial point in life.

3. Analyze the narrative style used in the short story. Why is the speaker considered an
unreliable narrator? (E.RL.01.9-10.6.1))

• The short story “The Man Who Walked on the Moon” is told from the first-person point
of view and in a personal narrative style. This allows readers to delve deeper into the
mindset of the narrator and visualize his surroundings. However, the narrator’s
contradictory descriptions and his admission to having memory problems create a
certain discernibility in his narration. Readers are left to wonder whether they should
trust the narrator’s judgments and experiences.

4. Examine the narrator’s experiences as both a journalist and a caretaker of a household.

(E. RL,01.9-10.3.1)
• The narrator admits that he has juggled several different careers, hoping that one would
match his “talents.” However, readers quickly learn that he is not respected in the
workplace among his peers, and he is usually given menial tasks. The narrator blames
this on the generation gap and the sharpness of his attitude. Readers should keep in
mind that the narrator is quite unreliable and perhaps fails to admit that he is not as
good at his job as he claims to be. Feeling unwanted and unproductive are emotions
and are also reflected in his home where he is scrutinized by both his mother and his
wife. He is propelled to always feel as though he is a failure.

5. How does the advice of finding a story of human interest instigate the plot?
(E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)
• The advice from his co-worker grants the narrator a sense of false ambition and drive
to find a human-interest story, and it is there and then when he encounters Commander
Scranton.

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6. Examine how the setting at the beginning of the story affects the narrator’s endeavors in
succeeding as a journalist. (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

• The narrator attempts to search for a human-interest story but blames his failure on his
surroundings. He criticizes people for being impersonal, dethatched, and quite
uninteresting as they are busy dealing with the banalities of everyday life. Yet again,
the narrator blames his failures on his surroundings, gives up, and fails to accept his
own shortcomings.

7. How is Commander Scranton characterized? Compare and contrast his characterization

with that of the narrator. (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

• Commander Scranton is described as confident and quite relaxed or carefree. Even

though he is malnourished and shabby, he seems to be self-assured. His lack of
productivity and his deception seem to be harmless, entertaining, and as a matter of
fact, the source of great income and fame. The narrator, on the other hand, is self-
loathing and uncertain about his life. He lacks Scranton’s self-allure and confidence.
The narrator is drawn to Scranton due to their shared reality in terms of failure and lack
of productivity. However, Scranton’s failures are also his successes, whereas the
narrator has yet to receive any gain as a result of his shortcomings.

8. What does the sentence below from “The Man Who Walked on the Moon” reveal about
the narrator? (E.RL.01.9-10.1)

“Perhaps I would visit Paris or New York, make a new life for myself as a literary critic…”

A. He is ambitious and intelligent.

B. He is a talented journalist.
C. He is discontent with his current lifestyle.
D. He is well read.
E. He is an adventurous risk-taker.

9. How does the narrator feel about Commander Scranton when he first notices him?
(E.RL.01.9-10.1)

A. mystified and intrigued

B. anxious and nervous
C. afraid and cautious
D. enamored and infatuated
E. uninterested and bored

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Lesson 2 – Guiding Questions

10. What does the true story of Commander Scranton signify about him as a character?
(E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

• The deception and forgery behind Commander Scranton’s story elicit a sense of
suspicion. Even the narrator begins to suspect whether Scranton is truly a deceitful
character. On the other hand, one tends to empathize with Scranton as he seems to be
quite delusional. He refuses to acknowledge the reality he is living in. Such a confession
is proof that he is only a shell of the man he used to be back when he was a pilot. His
haughty demeanor and false stories are only a reflection of a man who is depressed,
purposeless, and numb.

11. What does the waiter’s response “the man in the moon” signify about people’s perception
of Commander Scranton? (E.RL.01.9-10.1)

• The waiter’s satirical response signifies that Scranton has become a figure of mockery
and amusement. Even though his story is proven to be false, people are still amused by
his character and take advantage of his delusional state. Therefore, Scranton becomes
a mere commodity of fame, a mere tool for entertainment.

12. Why does the narrator become envious of Commander Scranton? (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

A. Scranton is a better astronaut than the narrator.

B. Scranton becomes successful and famous even in his failures.
C. Scranton is more knowledgeable than the narrator.
D. Scranton refuses to have a conversation with the narrator.
E. Scranton is wealthy and lives a life of luxury.

13. Which of the following best describes the first conversation between the narrator and
Commander Scranton? (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

A. timid and reserved

B. hostile and violent
C. serious and formal
D. fragile and delicate
E. comical and easy-going

14. Support your answer to the previous question by citing one piece of evidence from the
story. (E.RL.01.9-10.1.1)

• One example: “‘I’m sure.’ I tried to keep the amusement out of my voice. ‘The studios
must have been grateful to you. After all, you could describe the actual moon-walks.’”

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15. When asked what it is like on the moon, Commander Scranton replies that “It was just
like being here.” What does this sentence reveal about Scranton’s mental state?
(E.RL.01.9-10.1.1)
• Commander Scranton’s response reveals that he is quite detached from his
surroundings, void of any sense of zeal or sense of awareness and perception. He lacks
the passion for life, sentiment, and connection.

16. Why does the narrator suddenly feel bad about his encounter with Commander Scranton?
(E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)
• The narrator empathizes with Scranton and feels that he is quite sincere. He realizes
that Scranton has nothing to lose—no material possessions or sense of self. The
narrator’s feelings of amusement and mockery quickly turn towards empathy. The
narrator then tries to find any means to help Scranton prove his background story.

17. Based on the narrator’s description of Commander Scranton’s detached attitude, what
does Scranton’s character represent? (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

• Scranton becomes a symbol of human detachment, isolation, absurdity, and

disillusionment. This type of mental state is a form of defense mechanism that allows
people to escape either the monotonous duties of everyday life or their own failures and
regrets. This absurdist approach to life diminishes one’s worries due to the nonchalant
belief that life is uncertain and nothing can change that.

Lesson 3 – Guiding Questions

18. What are the narrator’s motives behind seeing Scranton’s photographs? (E.RL.02.9-10.6.1)

• The narrator is motivated to uncover Scranton’s story since it might be the ground-
breaking journalistic piece he has long sought to write.

19. How does the narrator seduce Scranton into showing him evidence of his experiences as an
astronaut? (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

A. He offers him more money.

B. He offers to become his friend.
C. He promises to feature him in a news-story.
D. He provides him with a better lodging.
E. He offers to buy him food.

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20. Examine and discuss Commander Scranton’s mental state. (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

Discuss this question with students and ask for their assessment of Scranton. Guide students
towards the realization that Scranton is quite lonely, depressed, and detached from his
surroundings, almost in a state of dehumanization.

21. How does the narrator feel after seeing Commander Scranton’s only piece of evidence?
(E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)
A. envious
B. pleased
C. amused
D. disappointed
E. shocked

22. How does the encounter with Commander Scranton change the narrator?
(E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)
• The narrator quickly develops a sense of self and becomes a bit assertive, especially in
his attitude toward his mother and wife. He also has a more relaxed and detached
demeanor toward himself and his surroundings. He feels a false sense of ease and is no
longer bothered by trifles presented to him by the outside world.

23. Explain the significance of the phrase “the germ of his loneliness had entered my blood”
to the overall content of the story “The Man Who Walked on the Moon.” (E.RL.02.9-10.4.1)

• Readers begin to notice the character development that the narrator undergoes after
frequenting Commander Scranton. However, this change slowly begins to bring the
narrator into a mode of isolation, detachment, and a lack of sense of self. Hence, the
narrator describes Scranton’s loneliness as a contagious germ or a disease that has
infected him.

24. How does Commander Scranton’s physical state reflect his mental state? (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

• Commander Scranton’s health seems to deteriorate as the plot unfolds. His physical
health reflects the deterioration of his own mental health, as he continues to feel
detached and delusional.

25. More and more, the narrator slowly becomes like Commander Scranton. Discuss this
statement and whether it applies to the development of the plot. (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

Discuss this question with students focusing on how the narrator becomes Scranton’s
accomplice and a mirrored version of him. The narrator loses all sense of his surroundings
and sense of self.

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Lesson 4 – Guiding Questions

26. Form a debate regarding the two claims below. (E.RL.03.9-10.9.1)

Claim One: The narrator helps Scranton because he has developed a sincere friendship
with him.

Claim Two: The narrator helps Scranton but continues to take advantage of him. Scranton
becomes nothing more than a commodity for the narrator.

Divide the class into two groups and allow each group to prove each of the given claims.

27. How does the narrator’s life change at the end of the story? (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

• The narrator’s life collapses into shambles as he is low on income, unemployed, and
evicted from his own apartment. He moves in with Scranton and takes care of him
shortly before Scranton’s death.

28. What is the significance of the narrator recognizing himself in the photograph with
Scranton? (E.RL.01.9-10.1.1)

• This incident in the novel seals the narrator’s transformation into another version of
Scranton. The narrator, proving to be highly unreliable, recognizes himself in the
photograph with Scranton and is completely immersed in this delusional observation.

29. Why does the narrator become an embodiment of Scranton? What does he attempt to escape
from? (E.RL.01.9-10.3.1)

• The narrator reaches a point where he no longer has anything to lose, similar to
Scranton. Realizing there is no escape from this pitfall, the narrator decides to escape
his own reality and sense of self by exchanging his identity with a new one.

30. Reread the first sentence in the short story “The Man Who Walked on the Moon,” and then
skim through the ending. Why is this story considered a cyclic narrative? (E.RL.02.9-10.5.1)

• The short story begins and ends on the same note, with the narrator stating that he is
indeed an astronaut. This type of cyclic narrative more or less reflects the narrator’s
confined state, as he remains in a loop of delusion. There is no closure, neither for the
narrator nor for the reader.

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