An Independent study by Matthew Paine. Providing in depth analysis of the cult classic novel "A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".
Sunday, February 13, 2011
About the Novel
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a science fiction comedy created by Douglas Adams. Surprisingly, it was originally presented as a radio comedy on BBC radio 4 in 1978. After great success as a radio show it was adapted to other formats and it gradually became a multi-media phenomenon. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is actually a misnamed "trilogy" of five novels, which includes: "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy", "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe", "Life, the Universe and Everything", "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish" and "Mostly Harmless". Douglas Adams was believed to be working on a sixth instalment however, before his tragic death of a heart attack at the young age of 49. Another writer did pick up where he left off and added "And Another Thing..." to the series. Many adaptations of the series have existed, ranging from a stage show, to a tv series, to a comic book, to a major motion picture released in 2005. Hopefully I will be able to share with you all of these adaptations during my time analysing this extremely popular classic.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Book Choice Submission
1. What is the novel title? Who is the author? What is the date of Publication and what is the # of pages in the book (does not need to be a paragraph).
Novel Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Author: Douglas Adams
Date of Publication: 1979
# of Pages: 159
2. Why did you choose this book?
After looking in advance at the top 100 books of the century I decided that I would like to choose one of them for my Independent Study Novel (I.S.U). I know personally that I much prefer fiction to non-fiction, therefore any books based on true events (WWII etc.) were out of the question. Also, after having read a number of books serious in nature I decided that I wanted to read something more upbeat and lighthearted. So after much deliberation, and scouring of the top 100 list (which was mostly compiled of books about war and even "Twilight" on one of them...) I had decided on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. However, it was not quite as easy as this. After deciding I did some research on the novel through secondary sources (a recommendation by Ms.Vallier) to see if such a book could be analyzed and critiqued without much trouble (more info on the secondary source in question 7). After reading a review by this critic and realizing that I may indeed be capable of analyzing "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" it was decided.
3. How do you like the book so far? Be honest and be specific.
The book so far has surprised me in the least. Douglas Adams's writing style is very much different than anything I have ever read before. He seems to have almost a complete disregard for story building and tension building and he gives the reader more of a ecstatic sense of adventure. I do not continue reading because I am scared what is going to happen next, I do not continue reading because I want to relieve tension, I continue reading because I have a genuine sense of wonder and curiosity of what will happen next in the universe in which Douglas Adams has created. This sensation of wonder and curiosity is new to me as a reader, and is something completely exclusive to Douglas Adams's writing. As a result I have already borrowed the second and third installments in the series from the library.
4. How much have you read so far? Be honest and be specific.
As explained before I am thoroughly enjoying the novel, as a result I am on page 129/159 (81%).
5. What has happened so far? Please refer to plot, setting, characters, mood, and things you've noticed.
So far in the novel our main character Arthur Dent, has had both his house and home planet (the earth) destroyed. However, as a result of pure dumb luck and the correct travel companion (an intergalactic hitchhiker named Ford Prefect) he has survived. Ford Prefect was able to bring Arthur along as he caught a ride on the ship seconds before earth was demolished. Now Arthur and Ford are on a journey to wherever they can get for "less than 30 Altarian Dollars a day". Ford seems to be an easy going person, who is intelligent and is looking for nothing more in life than a good time. Arthur Dent also seems to be easy going but rather than making his own path, Ford seems to drag him along with him. The mood of the novel so far seems to be quite upbeat in nature, despite the destruction of the earth and all.
6. What themes seem to be forming? What do you think the author is trying to say about these themes?
I would say that the most apparent theme in the novel would have to be that life takes us on strange paths and no matter how grim or frustrating your situation may seem you should try to make the best of it. As in the end, your life is to enjoy. I think the critical essay written by Tim Wynne-Jones summarizes this idea the best by saying:
"There seems no room in Adams's thinking for despair. So things are bad, what are you going to do, lie down in the mud? Well, that's not such a bad idea. As long as you keep your eyes open. There are things in the mud you probably should know about."
This upbeat ideology presented by Adams seems to be contagious, when reading his novel I personally cannot help but feeling cheery.
7. What secondary sources have you found so far? What is interesting or confusing about them?
The most significant secondary source I have found so far would have to be the critical essay "The Unravelling of DNA: Douglas Noel Adams, 1952 - 2001" written by Tim Wynne-Jones. I found it interesting how little negative feedback this critic had to say about Douglas Adam considering how different of both a novel and his writing style is. Also I was unaware of how tragic an end Douglas Adams came to, as he died of a heart attack at the young age of 49.
8. Choose 1 (one) line from the novel so far and write a paragraph describing why it speaks to you. You can completely ignore the context of the quotation and just focus on your personal response to it - this is called reader response theory (fun:).
"Perhaps I am old and tired, but I always think that the chances of finding out what is really going on are so absurdly remote that the only thing to do is to say hang the sense of it and just keep yourself occupied"
Novel Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Author: Douglas Adams
Date of Publication: 1979
# of Pages: 159
2. Why did you choose this book?
After looking in advance at the top 100 books of the century I decided that I would like to choose one of them for my Independent Study Novel (I.S.U). I know personally that I much prefer fiction to non-fiction, therefore any books based on true events (WWII etc.) were out of the question. Also, after having read a number of books serious in nature I decided that I wanted to read something more upbeat and lighthearted. So after much deliberation, and scouring of the top 100 list (which was mostly compiled of books about war and even "Twilight" on one of them...) I had decided on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. However, it was not quite as easy as this. After deciding I did some research on the novel through secondary sources (a recommendation by Ms.Vallier) to see if such a book could be analyzed and critiqued without much trouble (more info on the secondary source in question 7). After reading a review by this critic and realizing that I may indeed be capable of analyzing "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" it was decided.
3. How do you like the book so far? Be honest and be specific.
The book so far has surprised me in the least. Douglas Adams's writing style is very much different than anything I have ever read before. He seems to have almost a complete disregard for story building and tension building and he gives the reader more of a ecstatic sense of adventure. I do not continue reading because I am scared what is going to happen next, I do not continue reading because I want to relieve tension, I continue reading because I have a genuine sense of wonder and curiosity of what will happen next in the universe in which Douglas Adams has created. This sensation of wonder and curiosity is new to me as a reader, and is something completely exclusive to Douglas Adams's writing. As a result I have already borrowed the second and third installments in the series from the library.
4. How much have you read so far? Be honest and be specific.
As explained before I am thoroughly enjoying the novel, as a result I am on page 129/159 (81%).
5. What has happened so far? Please refer to plot, setting, characters, mood, and things you've noticed.
So far in the novel our main character Arthur Dent, has had both his house and home planet (the earth) destroyed. However, as a result of pure dumb luck and the correct travel companion (an intergalactic hitchhiker named Ford Prefect) he has survived. Ford Prefect was able to bring Arthur along as he caught a ride on the ship seconds before earth was demolished. Now Arthur and Ford are on a journey to wherever they can get for "less than 30 Altarian Dollars a day". Ford seems to be an easy going person, who is intelligent and is looking for nothing more in life than a good time. Arthur Dent also seems to be easy going but rather than making his own path, Ford seems to drag him along with him. The mood of the novel so far seems to be quite upbeat in nature, despite the destruction of the earth and all.
6. What themes seem to be forming? What do you think the author is trying to say about these themes?
I would say that the most apparent theme in the novel would have to be that life takes us on strange paths and no matter how grim or frustrating your situation may seem you should try to make the best of it. As in the end, your life is to enjoy. I think the critical essay written by Tim Wynne-Jones summarizes this idea the best by saying:
"There seems no room in Adams's thinking for despair. So things are bad, what are you going to do, lie down in the mud? Well, that's not such a bad idea. As long as you keep your eyes open. There are things in the mud you probably should know about."
This upbeat ideology presented by Adams seems to be contagious, when reading his novel I personally cannot help but feeling cheery.
7. What secondary sources have you found so far? What is interesting or confusing about them?
The most significant secondary source I have found so far would have to be the critical essay "The Unravelling of DNA: Douglas Noel Adams, 1952 - 2001" written by Tim Wynne-Jones. I found it interesting how little negative feedback this critic had to say about Douglas Adam considering how different of both a novel and his writing style is. Also I was unaware of how tragic an end Douglas Adams came to, as he died of a heart attack at the young age of 49.
8. Choose 1 (one) line from the novel so far and write a paragraph describing why it speaks to you. You can completely ignore the context of the quotation and just focus on your personal response to it - this is called reader response theory (fun:).
"Perhaps I am old and tired, but I always think that the chances of finding out what is really going on are so absurdly remote that the only thing to do is to say hang the sense of it and just keep yourself occupied"
Welcome to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Blog
As you may know my name is Matt Paine and I will be providing an in depth analysis/critique of the classic novel "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". In combination with the answering of critical questions (posed by Ms. Vallier), I am also hoping to add other "fun" aspects to the Blog. These "fun" aspects may include: character profiles (from the novel), quote of the day, excerpt of the day and if possible clips from both the major motion picture and the BBC radio show. Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
New Beginnings, Douglas Adams's Style and Humour.
As I begin to read the novel "A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" Douglas Adams's style of writing becomes more and more apparent. The only possible way I could describe it is by saying that it is "Monty Python-esk". Also the style of the novel as a whole is unlike anythign I have ever read before, as it is a mix of both comedy and sci-fi. Adams's seems to use humour to offset tragedies or break the ice during suspensful parts of the novel. This in my opinion sets up for -what I guess you could call- dark humour. The reader is stunned, and feels terribly for the main character Arthur Dent, but noone, including any of the characters in the novel, seem to care much at all. For example in chapter 5, right after the earth (and all it's inhabitants) are demolished to build a space highway -for lack of a better term- you would expect Arthur Dent (the only surviving Earthling) to be completely and uttely crushed, this is not the case however, when asked how he feels about the earth being demolished he responds simply by saying "I'm a bit upset about that". This downplaying of such a catastrophic event is so unexpected that I myself cannot help but laugh. This is not however the only humour which exists. Another great example of this use of humour can be found in chapter 7 the seen plays out something like this:
"Oh, er, well the hatchway in front of us will open automatically in a few moments and we will shoot out into deep space I expect and asphyxicate. If you take a lungful of air with you you can last for up to thirty seconds of course ..." said Ford. He stuck his hands behind his back, raised his eyebrows and started to hum an old Betelgeusian battle hymn. To Arthur's eyes he suddenly looked very alien.
"So this is it," said Arthur, "we're going to die."
"Yes," said Ford, "except ... no! Wait a minute!" he suddenly lunged across the chamber at something behind Arthur's line of vision. "What's this switch?" he cried.
"What? Where?" cried Arthur twisting round.
"No, I was only fooling," said Ford, "we are going to die after all."
He slumped against the wall again and carried on the tune from where he left off.
As you can see Douglas Adams's seems to have quite a dark sense of humour, as he plays off death and destruction as it were nothing more than a stubbed toe.
"Oh, er, well the hatchway in front of us will open automatically in a few moments and we will shoot out into deep space I expect and asphyxicate. If you take a lungful of air with you you can last for up to thirty seconds of course ..." said Ford. He stuck his hands behind his back, raised his eyebrows and started to hum an old Betelgeusian battle hymn. To Arthur's eyes he suddenly looked very alien.
"So this is it," said Arthur, "we're going to die."
"Yes," said Ford, "except ... no! Wait a minute!" he suddenly lunged across the chamber at something behind Arthur's line of vision. "What's this switch?" he cried.
"What? Where?" cried Arthur twisting round.
"No, I was only fooling," said Ford, "we are going to die after all."
He slumped against the wall again and carried on the tune from where he left off.
As you can see Douglas Adams's seems to have quite a dark sense of humour, as he plays off death and destruction as it were nothing more than a stubbed toe.
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