The line <em>"Friends departing to take up a post on Mars"</em> is from the poem "Post Early for Space" by Peter J. Henniker-Heaton where the speaker talks of settling into other planets and invading beyond the earth. He compares this to the American settlers, setting sights onto new directions.
The idea that man will soon settle on Mars and set up homes had already been written about by Ray Bradbury in his 1950 novel "The Martian Chronicles". In it, he describes an expedition to the red planet and how man inhabited the planet, eventually moving their families from Earth to Mars. Thus, this idea of <em>"tak[ing] up a post on Mars"</em> is related to Bradbury's fictional novel.
The main theme of Edward Hirsch’s poem “Fast Break” is<u> the importance of teamwork</u>. Hirsch relates this theme to the reader through a colorful description of a fast break play in a basketball game.
Bev is jealous because Millicent seemed to be interested with Herb Dalton. Smiling seemed to be an indication of her fascination as interpreted by Bev as action speaks louder than words.
