Book Notes: Check one

Book Notes

Setting:

The setting of the novel “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” begins on earth, but as you may be able to guess from the title this quickly changes. Upon the demolition of the planet earth, in make of an intergalactic highway, our main characters Arthur Dent (the now second last remaining earthling) and his friend Ford Prefect (a very human looking alien) hitchhike off of earth. At this point the setting changes from the very confining earth to a setting with infinite possibilities, the galaxy. This change is very important as it allows Douglas Adams to work in a setting where anything can happen, a place where he is not confined to realism.

Characters:

Character: 

Arthur Dent

Background:

Arthur Dent is one of two known remaining earthlings (both of whom are from the same town in Britain) to escape the demolition of the planet Earth. He and Ford Prefect escaped the planet seconds before its destruction.

Description:

Arthur Dent is a follower in the least. He is essentially dragged along in the journey throughout the universe by Ford. He is still in quite a bit of shock from the destruction of his planet and is comparable to that of a lost sheep.

Character:

Ford Prefect

Background:

Ford Prefect also happens to be the last remaining survivor of his planets destruction. He met Arthur on the planet Earth during his unfortunate 25 year stay. 

Description:

Ford travels the universe looking for nothing more than a good time, and uses his experience to fill the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (a most popular book amongst the universe). He like his friend Zaphod is quite air headed and seemingly both goalless and ambitionless.  

Character:

Zaphod Beeblebrox

Background:

Zaphod before his turn into a criminal was the president of the galaxy. He with the help of Trillian (whom he helped escape from earth months earlier) has stolen the Heart of Gold a most formidable ship, the reasoning at this point is unknown. 

Description:

Like Ford Zaphod is quite air-headed although is not without ambition. Zaphod seems to be able to accomplish his goals when he puts his minds to it (as he is two headed, and three armed for that matter). However, when he is goalless he acts more like our friend Ford and desires nothing more than a good time.

Character:

Trillian

Background:

Other than the knowledge of Trillian being an earthling most of her background is unknown with the exception of having met both Zaphod and Arthur Dent at the same party in her home town in Britain. She also owns two pet mice. 

Description:

As explained before she escaped with Zaphod from Earth months earlier and is somewhat of a girlfriend to him. She, also having degrees in science and astrology, helps Zaphod run the Heart of Gold.

Character:

Marvin

Background:

Besides knowing that he was purchased or acquired by Zaphod somewhere Marvin’s origins are also unknown.

Description:

Marvin is undeniably the most miserable/intelligent being and most likely robot in the universe. He has no trouble in talking another robot into committing suicide.

Conflicts:

The conflicts so far seem to be chapter to chapter for both Arthur and Ford, for example a conflict such as Arthur and Ford being stuck on an alien ship is resolved by the end of the chapter or the following chapter. However, the big conflict at this point seems to be the displacement of Arthur from his home planet of Earth. 

Active Reading:

Allusions:

The London Underground - An underground subway station in London.

Cape Canaveral - A city in central Florida. (I have been there!)

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat - A 1968 musical based off of the story of Joseph in Genesis.

Godspell - A musical based on the Gospel of Matthew.

QED (quad erat demonstrandum) - A phrase put after a mathematical proof or philosophical argument which means what was to be demonstrated. The abbreviation is meant to signify the completion of a proof.

Questions:

What is the ultimate question?

Is Arthur Dent ever going to live a normal life again?

What happened to Zaphod Beeblebrox’s brain? Why does he make such rash decisions?

What is the superior being on Earth?

What is so special about this lost planet?

What was the real purpose of stealing the Heart of Gold?

Vocabulary:

Bureaucratic - of or relating to bureaucrats; characterized by bureaucracy 

Bureaucracy - A pyramid structure of business which contains many different levels of businessmen. 

Quadraphonic - 4.0 surround sound - 4 speakers stationed in the four corners of your listening space.

fait accompli - French, meaning an accomplished fact.

What I like/dislike:

The main thing that I like so far about Douglas Adams’s writing is the upbeat and light-hearted nature of it. It is a nice break from reading very serious novels. However, I dislike the fact that the plot becomes hard to follow at some points. During the novel so far the setting has changed a number of times and with it the conflict. At this point in the novel I am still questioning which is the greater conflict. This however, is the nature of the novel and will take some getting used to. Overall I am very much enjoying Douglas Adams’s writing and will definitely continue on to read the rest of the series.

Theme:

I would say the main thing Douglas Adams is trying to teach the reader would be that life is short and therefore you should try to enjoy every minute of it. Also that enjoyment and fun can be found in sometimes the strangest of places. As said by Tim-Wynne Jones (and I will continue to use this quote because I love it) when summarizing Douglas Adams’s mindset: 

"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 theme is communicated mainly through characters and literary devices. Both Ford Prefect and Arthur Dent are perfect examples of this ideology. Both of these characters have been through the destruction of their home planets, the destruction of everything they knew and loved, however they are able to make the best out of their situations. Ford and by default Arthur both chose to live the hitchhiker’s life and are trying to have the most fun they possibly can for 20 Altarian dollars a day. One would think that the destruction of everything would result in quite a more devastating outlook on life. Adams however also uses a lot of satire and joking in order to make light and joke about the most devastating of situations, also hitting home his theme. The best example I could find of this is as follows:

"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."

After reading this I find myself laughing at a situation which otherwise would be devastating and heart pounding, but Adams manages to find a way to make light of it. To conclude the main theme I will take away from this novel is that life is a gift made to be enjoyed, and as we only have one we should try to enjoy every second, millisecond, and nanosecond it provides. 

Book Notes and Thesis Proposal Checklist

Source Citation

            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."

 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 
 

          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 . . .""

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Motion Picture Trailer. (2007)

Survey of Authors and Secondary Sources

Author: Douglas Adams

Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

2. What made you interested in the author?

My interest in Douglas Adams spawns both from my interest in science fiction, as well as a critical article/biography written by Tim Wynne-Jones. The article displayed humour as well as subject matter presented by Adams in which I found compelling. Also as a result of his death in may of 2001 I found it fitting to read the his works as a tribute to a sorrily missed author and human being.

3. Brief background on the author

Douglas Noel Adams was born in Cambridge in 1952, the son of Janet and Christopher Adams. His mother was a nurse, while his father was a management consultant. The family moved to the town of Essex on the outskirts of London. When Douglas was 5 years old his parents divorced, which he said casted a shadow over his childhood, as a child he was thought to be educationally subnormal. Douglas Adams always had a high interest in music and at one point owned as many as thirty guitars. As a teen he was also very enthused with Monty Python, which jump started his interests in comedic writing. Adams went to St. John's College in Cambridge and achieved a masters degree in English literature. After graduation he became increasingly interested in the publishing of his own novel, and eventually would succeed in the crafting of a classic. When Adams finished writing, he then became interested in both the environment and zoology. However, because he was unqualified to do this alone he joined forces with a zoologist by the name of Mark Carwardine. Douglas Adams spent the remains of his life pursuing this interest before tragically dieing of a heart attack at the young age of forty-nine.

4. Other published works and genres

• Monty Python's Flying Circus Episode 45, Party Political Broadcast on Behalf of the Liberal Party (1972)
• The Private Life of Genghis Khan (1975)
• The Pirate Planet, a Doctor Who serial first broadcast in 1978
• City of Death, a Doctor Who serial, cowritten with Graham Williams, based on a story by David Fisher, first broadcast October 1979
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1979)
• Shada (1979–1980), a Doctor Who serial
• The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (1980)
• Life, the Universe and Everything (1982)
• The Meaning of Liff (1983, with John Lloyd)
• So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish (1984)
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (computer game) (1984, with Steve Meretzky)
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Original Radio Scripts (1985, with Geoffrey Perkins)
• Young Zaphod Plays It Safe (short story) (1986)
• A Christmas Fairly Story [sic] (1986, with Terry Jones), and
• Supplement to The Meaning of Liff (1986, with John Lloyd and Stephen Fry), both part of
  • The Utterly Utterly Merry Comic Relief Christmas Book (1986, edited with Peter Fincham

• Bureaucracy (computer game) (1987)
• Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (1987)
• The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul (1988)
• Hyperland (TV documentary) (1990)
• The Deeper Meaning of Liff (1990, with John Lloyd)
• Last Chance to See (1990, with Mark Carwardine)
• Mostly Harmless (1992)
• The Illustrated Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (1994)
• Douglas Adams's Starship Titanic (1997), written by Terry Jones (who insists he wrote the whole thing while in the nude), based on an idea by Adams
• Starship Titanic (computer game) (1998)
• h2g2 (internet project) (1999)
• The Internet: The Last Battleground of the 20th century (radio series) (2000)
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Future (radio series) (2001) final project for BBC Radio 4 before his death
• Parrots, the universe and everything (2001)
• The Salmon of Doubt (2002), unfinished novel manuscript (11 chapters), short stories, essays, and interviews (also available as an audiobook, read by Simon Jones)
• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (film) (2005)

5. Information on particular places, time periods, events of influence or interest to your author

My interest in both the fantasy and science fiction genres of writing are the main components of my reasoning for choosing to read Douglas Adams' works. The other reasoning being that the book resides on the top 100 novels of the century list. I believe that the interest in both science fiction and fantasy spawns from an early introduction to it as a child. Even as a child I found stories and books intriguing and could easily read through even the longest of books. Like most teens of my age I believe that the Harry Potter series was what I got started with. However, I became more interested in science fiction and fantasy that was aimed towards adult audiences rather than teens. As these novels were able to present both underling values and morals in which a teen audience may miss.

6. Themes favoured by the author

The major themes in which Adams seems to focus on are: the absurdity of life, environmentalism, atheism, and technology. The absurdity of life is a constantly occurring theme in the novel in which Adams makes apparent through both jokes and satire. Environmentalism again is a theme in which Adams is not hesitant to show in the text. Adams also much enjoyed to study the environment and the animals inhabiting it, so it is not surprising for this to be a major theme in his writing. The question of god also appears in the text, and it did not surprise to find out that Douglas was an atheist. Lastly technology is a theme in which is not astounding to find in a science fiction novel. Adams imagines gadgets and technological devices in which many of us would never dream of.

7. Other authors compared to Douglas Adams

In the critical essay Lewis Carroll and Douglas Adams written by Ross Eckler, Adams is directly compared to the famous author Lewis Carroll (Alice in Wonderland). These two British authors who lived about a century apart are indeed alike in both writing styles, but also content. Ross goes on to explain how the number 42 is significant in both texts, and also presents other examples of similarities in the text.

8. Critical Articles (Secondary Sources)

1. WYNNE-JONES, TIM. "The Unravelling of DNA: Douglas Noel Adams, 1952-2001." The Horn Book Magazine 77.5 (2001): 628. General OneFile. Web. 2 Mar. 2011.

Document URL

http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T002&prodId=IPS&docId=A78889691&source=gale&srcprod=ITOF&userGroupName=ko_k12hs_d21&version=1.0

 
2. Lewis, D. L. "Last Time Round the Galaxy," in Quadrant, September 1, 2002.

Source Citation

"Last Time Round the Galaxy." Student Resource Center. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2007. Student Resource Centre Canadian Edition. Web. 2 Mar. 2011.

Document URL
http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=IPS&docId=EJ2181700661&source=gale&srcprod=SRCA&userGroupName=trillium&version=1.0

3.  Guttridge, Peter. "Obituary: Douglas Adams," in The Independent, May 14, 2001. Copyright © 2001 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd. Reproduced by permission.

Source Citation

"Obituary: Douglas Adams." Student Resource Center. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2007. Student Resource Centre Canadian Edition. Web. 3 Mar. 2011.

Document URL
http://find.galegroup.com/gps/infomark.do?&contentSet=GSRC&type=retrieve&tabID=T001&prodId=IPS&docId=EJ2181700662&source=gale&srcprod=SRCA&userGroupName=trillium&version=1.0