WYNNE-JONES, TIM. "The Unravelling of DNA: Douglas Noel Adams, 1952-2001." The Horn Book Magazine 77.5 (2001): 628. General OneFile. Web. 6 Mar. 2011.
In the critical essay "The Unravelling of DNA: Douglas Noel Adams, 1952-2001." by Tim Wynne-Jones idea of just how much Douglas Adams is able to impact the reader through out of the box thinking, and by presenting the world in an absurd way. His first argument details how Douglas Adams was able to impact the reader through turning both logic and language on end. The following example is presented from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (HHGG):
"The [star] ships hung in the sky in much the same way that bricks don't." Or this bit of Marx Brothers--like banter between Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect:
"You'd better be prepared for the jump into hyperspace. It's unpleasantly like being drunk."
"What's so unpleasant about being drunk?"
"You ask a glass of water."
"What's so unpleasant about being drunk?"
"You ask a glass of water."
Tim Wynne-Jones also argues that the absurdity presented by Douglas Adams also has quite an effect on the reader or "has a way of rushing up to you and smacking you in the face". One example is presented from the HHGG which says: . "The Guide says that there is an art to flying ... or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss." Wynne-Jones goes on to explain how absurdity has literary history which began with the Christian churches. Tertullian an early father of the church argued that the truth to Christianity is found in its complete absurdity. Douglas Adams seems to be aware of this theory and uses it many a time to his advantage in his novels, such as:
"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing." "But," says Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED." (quod erat demonstrandum)
"Oh dear," says God, "I hadn't thought of that," and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.
Wynne-Jones describes both logic and absurdity as silly putty in the hands of Douglas Adams in which he uses both to impact the readers lives and his own.
Source Citation
"I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing." "But," says Man, "the Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED." (quod erat demonstrandum)
"Oh dear," says God, "I hadn't thought of that," and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.
Wynne-Jones describes both logic and absurdity as silly putty in the hands of Douglas Adams in which he uses both to impact the readers lives and his own.
Source Citation
Currier, Catherine M. "Douglas Adams: Overview." St. James Guide to Science Fiction Writers. Ed. Jay P. Pederson. 4th ed. New York: St. James Press, 1996. Literature Resource Center. Web. 6 Mar. 2011.
In the critical essay "Douglas Adams: Overview." Catherine Currier outlines the techniques and bizarre viewpoints Douglas Adams uses in order to create unforgettable characters and situations. In science fiction it is very uncommon to see humorous and satirical writing, however this technique is what helps to make the series a classic. Douglas Adams creates a universe which is built upon improbability and coincidence which makes the impossible infact possible. Catherine Currier also provides the notion that because humor and satire in science fiction is few and far between it makes the reader rethink the genre, overall making a most delightful reading experience. Although Adams provides material well out of his genre it is also explained that he is also capable of providing material belonging in science fiction; Robots, gadgets, spaceships and aliens just to name some. Not only does he provide material on science fiction, Adams also has a high interest in animals, nature and world ecology. Such material had been gathered from time spent by Adams on expeditions. In conclusion to put it into Catherine Curriers words "Adams's style, poignant and funny, with elements of hope and despair, combined with his keen, off-center views, makes this a pleasurable read for the armchair traveler and all those concerned with animals, nature and world ecology."
Source Citation
Jonas, Gerald. "Review of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ." Contemporary Literary Criticism Vol. 27. Ed. Jean C. Stine and Bridget Broderick. Detroit: Gale Research: Literature Resource Center, 1984. Print.
In the book review by Gerald Jonas ( a New York Times Book Reviewer), Jonas goes over the plot of the book, in this case being the search for the Ultimate Question of Life, which of course matches up with the ultimate answer "42". Once the plot is established he goes on to express the likeness of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy's humor to that of Monty Python's, as Adams has a narrative trick of writing stories backwards, sideways, and inside out. Jonas also felt that finding humorous science fiction books in which do not limit audiences is rare, The Hitchhiker's Guide in this case is a delightful exception. To summarize, "anyone who can understand the thrill that might come to a crew of interstellar explorers who discover a mysterious planet, dead for five million years, and then hear on their "sub etha" radio a ghostly voice, hollow, ready, insubstantial: "Greetings to you . . . This is a recorded announcement, as I'm afraid we're all out at the moment . . .""
Source Citation
Jonas, Gerald. "Review of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy ." Contemporary Literary Criticism Vol. 27. Ed. Jean C. Stine and Bridget Broderick. Detroit: Gale Research: Literature Resource Center, 1984. Print.
In the book review by Gerald Jonas ( a New York Times Book Reviewer), Jonas goes over the plot of the book, in this case being the search for the Ultimate Question of Life, which of course matches up with the ultimate answer "42". Once the plot is established he goes on to express the likeness of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy's humor to that of Monty Python's, as Adams has a narrative trick of writing stories backwards, sideways, and inside out. Jonas also felt that finding humorous science fiction books in which do not limit audiences is rare, The Hitchhiker's Guide in this case is a delightful exception. To summarize, "anyone who can understand the thrill that might come to a crew of interstellar explorers who discover a mysterious planet, dead for five million years, and then hear on their "sub etha" radio a ghostly voice, hollow, ready, insubstantial: "Greetings to you . . . This is a recorded announcement, as I'm afraid we're all out at the moment . . .""
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