There are a couple of themes that come to pass in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I thought the themes of absurdity and insignificance were the most recognizable and in response I will talk about them.
As mentioned earlier, the theme of absurdity is common through the book. Most of the chapters seem to be randomly put together in one way or another. However, Adams manages to create a rather smooth plot. The author is also able to tie loose ends in the resolution of the novel and slow down the turn of events in the falling action. I found this to be very creative; the unique way Adams uses a random order of events to tell a story.
Another theme found throughout the book is insignificance. I only realized this theme after I had finished the book. Beginning the novel, Earth is illustrated as a planet of no importance whatsoever. On the very first page, Adams describes our planet as "an utterly insignificant little blue-green planet" orbiting around "a small unregarded yellow sun." This version of Earth conveys the galaxy's open opinion of what once was and will be soon again our planet. Later on in the novel, the author conveys that the universe itself is of no significance as well. Maybe the author made everything insignificant as a comical relief. Since most of the novel involved humor, this theme of insignificance could only be there for humor. Thus, making it insignificant as well.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Post Eight/Ocho
As I continued reading the last chapters of the novel, I realized that this book was generally over much too soon. Douglas Adams’ idea as well as description of a possible galaxy out there could make up an inexhaustible amount of stories. His specific story however, about a humanoid named Arthur Dent, could continue on to boundless adventures and events. Thus, the ending to the book left me confused. Why wouldn’t Adams carry on writing about the adventures of Arthur Dent? Fortunately, my question was solved by the names of all his other novels. Getting back to the final three chapters of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, and Trillion are all able to escape from the planet Magrathea in time. This is because the vast galactic police had finally tracked Zaphod Beeblebox down and were trying to arrest him and all the others. Furthermore, their escape from the planet was the accidental combination of a clinically depressed robot and an old man. This event (as most of all the other events in the novel) occurred completely by chance. Although the novel becomes more and more confusing in the midst of all of the events in the resolution, the author did an exceptional job at connecting loose ends and coming up with an end to a never-ending story. However, I found the end to be somewhat predictable and unreasonable. All of the characters survived and were off to fulfill more adventures. This ending could have also been a basis to Adams’ other novels. Overall, I enjoyed most of the author’s book and will probably read more of the hitchhiker adventures in the future.
Post Seven/Siete
Over break, I was able to keep reading more of Adams’ novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which had a very strange turn of events in the plot. Arthur continues using the Sens-O-Tape to observe the events leading to the creation of planet Earth. As stated earlier, an unexpected answer to life, the universe and everything was going to be given by the greatest computer on the galaxy. However, this computer had to make an even better computer in order to answer the question. Thus Earth was formed as the “modern computer”. Now on the legendary planet of Magrathea, through a series of complicated events, Arthur Dent was supposed to come up with the answer. However, this would only happen if the Earthman’s brain was taken out and speculated, which Arthur was not willing to do for obvious reasons. Out in the galaxy, however, the galactic police was making its way toward Magrathea, and the whole planet was facing disaster. The chaos inevitably begins between Arthur, the Magratheans, (a couple of mice), Zaphod and the rest of the characters, and the galactic police. As the fights and arguments continue, the main characters are found to be in a tight spot. They are cornered with only a handful of options left. This part of the story had me immensely confused; not only did the story shift from the past to the present, but so much was added in that the storyline was hard to follow. Alternatively, I felt that the author was putting pieces of the plot together for the final resolution of the book. I also felt that the book had lost its previous sense of humor. The novel’s comedy was lacking in these ending chapters, and I was contemplating if this was done on purpose.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Post Six/Seis
This week, Douglas Adams’ work of literature has astonished me yet again. As I read more of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, I began to think this whole novel was one big satire. Not only did Adams stretch the universal laws of physics, but he does it in a very humorous way throughout the book. This could be the reason why his science fiction work is so funny. The story being so comical could also be a cover up for the annihilation of planet Earth that occurs and most people believe that could happen. The author basically stretches the truth for most of the book but which scientific fiction writer doesn’t? Getting back to the story, Arthur meets an old man named Slartibartfast who is able to explain the beginning of Earth. Slartibartfast also goes on to say that the second most intelligent animals, dolphins, were able to escape the destruction of Earth. Of course, Adams demonstrates how mice were actually the most intelligent animals on our insignificant planet. A good description of why Earth was destroyed is found in the context of the book; “it was destroyed five minutes before the completion of the purpose for which it was built.” This vague description generally summarizes the way Adams explains most of the mysteries of his book. However, Slartibartfast explains to Arthur how the Earth began. It involves a machine building another machine in order to figure out the answer to the universe. Arthur, being an Earthman, doesn’t quite understand this so the old man plugs a Sens-O-Tape into him. Chapter 27 ends leaving the reader wondering and wanting to read more. I’ve also noticed that this “cliffhanger” concept occurs many times in the book.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Post Five/Cinco
For my outside reading post this week, I read about five more chapters in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. While reading the chapters, I was wondering why Adams included so many absurd events into his novel, which leave the reader slightly confused. For instance, the chapters I read were a series of random incidents put together. The first two chapters describe missiles attacking the main characters' ship while the third chapter has a much less radical environment to it as the surviving and untouched space ship lands on the planet of Magrathea. Chapter 21 is even less radical as Arthur Dent does nothing more than read an galactic encyclopedia. Although there could be a fairly logical explanation to all of this, I find it to be somewhat out of order. On the other hand, Adams might just have done this to reveal an even greater theme in the book; he could be imitating the bizarre galaxy through his writing. Thus, you could possibly list the author's 'absurd' chapters as a theme of the book. Arthur Dent is also left with a paranoid robot to guard the ship while everyone else goes further in the ancient planet. The annoyed robot turns itself off and Arthur is left more alone than ever before. The other characters' decision of leaving the human to clumsily guard a ship demonstrates Arthur's insignificance in the colossal world around him. This attitude towards Arthur has significantly changed from the beginning of the novel, where he is the only human to be saved from planet Earth. Could this change of mind towards him lead to anything? I'll just have to see.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Annotated Bibliography
Should genetic engineering in animals be accepted in society for its medical purposes or banned due to its morality issues?
Kaplan, Karen. "Stem Cell Method Finds Cure". Los Angeles Times 7 Dec 2007: n.p. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. 9 Dec 2008..
Karen Kaplan is a science writer for the Los Angeles Times, a daily newspaper distributed throughout western United States. Her article talks about how scientists have cured sickle cell anemia in rats by creating “healthy, genetically matched” tissue through its cells. She also writes about how scientists successfully cloned healthier mice that had no signs of the diseases their genetic twins had. Kaplan argues how sickle cell anemia is only the first of many diseases that could be treated through the cloning of stem cells. She also states that scientists hope to “create cardiac cells...or nerve cells” to treat human injuries. However, for this regenerative medicine to be tested on humans, “several rounds of animal experiments would need to be done”. Although engineering stem cells can find cures, it will take some time for such cures to become a reality to the world of medicine. This article will demonstrate that in order for genetic engineering to become a treatment for diseases in the world of medicine, it must be tested on animals. Thus, society would benefit through all the new cures that would be available.
Velasquez-Manoff, Moises. "A New Step Toward Synthetic Life.” Christian Science Monitor 29 Jun 2007: n.p. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. 9 Dec 2008..
Moises Velasquez-Manoff is a journalist at the Christian Science Monitor, an independent daily newspaper about the current events internationally and in the United States. In his article, he argues that scientists have “successfully transplanted the entire genome of one bacterium species into another,” which creates genetic replicas. Manoff also states that “nature already offers plenty of starting points” to boot up a cell system from organisms. He shows how bacteria can freely swap genes as shown in the first cloned sheep, Dolly, which would allow scientists to put a nucleus from one cell into another to grow a viable animal. This process would further ensure that genetic engineering could be used to grow a replicated healthier animal. Finally, Manoff claims that intervening with nature could raise ethical and safety issues. This article gives me information about genetic engineering and how it would benefit society if it was accepted.
Lovins, Amory. “New Technology a Graduation Test for the Species.” Global Viewpoint 8 Aug 2000: n.p. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. 9 Dec 2008..
Amory Lovins, a recovering physicist, is the co-founder and CEO of Rocky Mountain Institute and his improvements have been recognized by a MacArthur fellowship and he has received many “Alternative Noble” prizes. In his article in the Global Viewpoint, Lovins claims that “our species has developed at least three technologies that pose a danger to its own future”. In his opinion, one of these three “technologies” is genetic engineering. He states that we are speeding up evolution by about a billion times through biotechnology. Although our society could improve from the medical benefits of genetic engineering, Lovins argues that simple “mistakes can quickly escape and multiply”. Lovins also argues that we are changing the goal of evolution and turning it into something dire. His stance illustrates that genetic engineering is immoral which opposes the other sources’ arguments.
Batra, Karen. "Genetic Engineering Promises to Improve Medicine, Food and the Environment." BIO 18 Sep 2008. 9 Dec 2008..
Karen Batra is a writer for BIO which represents over 1,200 biotechnology institutions, organizations, and centers across the United States as well as thirty other nations. Her article contains information on the multiple benefits of animal genetic engineering. She argues that after many years, “technologies have the proven ability to provide solutions for public health through biomedical application.” Genetic engineering is advancing human health since animals could have “pharmaceutical proteins and replacement tissues” which could cure many diseases including cancer. Batra also argues that genetically modified animals would meet the global demand for more efficient sources of food. She claims that animals could “contribute to improving the environment by consuming fewer resources and producing less waste” as well as enhancing their “disease resistance traits.” Her arguments demonstrate the capabilities of the future of genetic engineering and how it would improve our liver and make them healthier.
Pollack, Andrew. “Initial Benefit from Genetic Engineering Likely to be Medicine.” The New York Times 30 Jul 2007. 9 Dec 2008..
Andrew Pollack is a journalist who has covered the business and science of biotechnology articles for The New York Times since 2000. In this article, he talks about how a herd of goats have been genetically engineered to “to produce a therapeutic human protein called antithrombin in their milk” which keeps blood from clogging. Pollack also asserts that other companies are working on using transgenic animals for medicine. More and more transgenic animals are being produced to help cure diseases but most of the companies are experiencing “financial or technological” setbacks. The author argues that genetic engineering animals would also be regulated like drugs, with guidelines that “cover at least the creation and testing of the drug-bearing creatures.” The genetic engineering technology could still become a medical reality; creating a healthier society.
Bowman, Chris. “Research Alter Goats with Human Genes.” Sacramento Bee 3 May 2008: n.p. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. 9 Dec 2008. < http://www.sirs.com>.
Chris Bowman writes articles frequently for the Sacramento Bee. This article is the most recent article and it talks about how scientists have tried to genetically engineer a goat with human genes. As a result, transgenic goats provide “lysozyme” which destroys bacteria that claims “more than 2 million impoverished young lives.” Bowman also argues that this genetically engineered milk is one of the first food products designed to improve health. He also insists that this altered goat milk needs several more studies to assure food safety regulations. However, recent studies show that this new milk “would provide comparable protection for children.” Finally, Bowman claims that more experiments are not only trying to prevent illnesses, but treat them as well. This article’s facts illustrate the use of animals to further improve medicine, which could greatly increase the health rate among many of the poorer regions across the world.
Kaplan, Karen. "Stem Cell Method Finds Cure". Los Angeles Times 7 Dec 2007: n.p. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. 9 Dec 2008.
Karen Kaplan is a science writer for the Los Angeles Times, a daily newspaper distributed throughout western United States. Her article talks about how scientists have cured sickle cell anemia in rats by creating “healthy, genetically matched” tissue through its cells. She also writes about how scientists successfully cloned healthier mice that had no signs of the diseases their genetic twins had. Kaplan argues how sickle cell anemia is only the first of many diseases that could be treated through the cloning of stem cells. She also states that scientists hope to “create cardiac cells...or nerve cells” to treat human injuries. However, for this regenerative medicine to be tested on humans, “several rounds of animal experiments would need to be done”. Although engineering stem cells can find cures, it will take some time for such cures to become a reality to the world of medicine. This article will demonstrate that in order for genetic engineering to become a treatment for diseases in the world of medicine, it must be tested on animals. Thus, society would benefit through all the new cures that would be available.
Velasquez-Manoff, Moises. "A New Step Toward Synthetic Life.” Christian Science Monitor 29 Jun 2007: n.p. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. 9 Dec 2008.
Moises Velasquez-Manoff is a journalist at the Christian Science Monitor, an independent daily newspaper about the current events internationally and in the United States. In his article, he argues that scientists have “successfully transplanted the entire genome of one bacterium species into another,” which creates genetic replicas. Manoff also states that “nature already offers plenty of starting points” to boot up a cell system from organisms. He shows how bacteria can freely swap genes as shown in the first cloned sheep, Dolly, which would allow scientists to put a nucleus from one cell into another to grow a viable animal. This process would further ensure that genetic engineering could be used to grow a replicated healthier animal. Finally, Manoff claims that intervening with nature could raise ethical and safety issues. This article gives me information about genetic engineering and how it would benefit society if it was accepted.
Lovins, Amory. “New Technology a Graduation Test for the Species.” Global Viewpoint 8 Aug 2000: n.p. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. 9 Dec 2008.
Amory Lovins, a recovering physicist, is the co-founder and CEO of Rocky Mountain Institute and his improvements have been recognized by a MacArthur fellowship and he has received many “Alternative Noble” prizes. In his article in the Global Viewpoint, Lovins claims that “our species has developed at least three technologies that pose a danger to its own future”. In his opinion, one of these three “technologies” is genetic engineering. He states that we are speeding up evolution by about a billion times through biotechnology. Although our society could improve from the medical benefits of genetic engineering, Lovins argues that simple “mistakes can quickly escape and multiply”. Lovins also argues that we are changing the goal of evolution and turning it into something dire. His stance illustrates that genetic engineering is immoral which opposes the other sources’ arguments.
Batra, Karen. "Genetic Engineering Promises to Improve Medicine, Food and the Environment." BIO 18 Sep 2008. 9 Dec 2008.
Karen Batra is a writer for BIO which represents over 1,200 biotechnology institutions, organizations, and centers across the United States as well as thirty other nations. Her article contains information on the multiple benefits of animal genetic engineering. She argues that after many years, “technologies have the proven ability to provide solutions for public health through biomedical application.” Genetic engineering is advancing human health since animals could have “pharmaceutical proteins and replacement tissues” which could cure many diseases including cancer. Batra also argues that genetically modified animals would meet the global demand for more efficient sources of food. She claims that animals could “contribute to improving the environment by consuming fewer resources and producing less waste” as well as enhancing their “disease resistance traits.” Her arguments demonstrate the capabilities of the future of genetic engineering and how it would improve our liver and make them healthier.
Pollack, Andrew. “Initial Benefit from Genetic Engineering Likely to be Medicine.” The New York Times 30 Jul 2007. 9 Dec 2008.
Andrew Pollack is a journalist who has covered the business and science of biotechnology articles for The New York Times since 2000. In this article, he talks about how a herd of goats have been genetically engineered to “to produce a therapeutic human protein called antithrombin in their milk” which keeps blood from clogging. Pollack also asserts that other companies are working on using transgenic animals for medicine. More and more transgenic animals are being produced to help cure diseases but most of the companies are experiencing “financial or technological” setbacks. The author argues that genetic engineering animals would also be regulated like drugs, with guidelines that “cover at least the creation and testing of the drug-bearing creatures.” The genetic engineering technology could still become a medical reality; creating a healthier society.
Bowman, Chris. “Research Alter Goats with Human Genes.” Sacramento Bee 3 May 2008: n.p. SIRS Researcher. SIRS Knowledge Source. 9 Dec 2008. < http://www.sirs.com>.
Chris Bowman writes articles frequently for the Sacramento Bee. This article is the most recent article and it talks about how scientists have tried to genetically engineer a goat with human genes. As a result, transgenic goats provide “lysozyme” which destroys bacteria that claims “more than 2 million impoverished young lives.” Bowman also argues that this genetically engineered milk is one of the first food products designed to improve health. He also insists that this altered goat milk needs several more studies to assure food safety regulations. However, recent studies show that this new milk “would provide comparable protection for children.” Finally, Bowman claims that more experiments are not only trying to prevent illnesses, but treat them as well. This article’s facts illustrate the use of animals to further improve medicine, which could greatly increase the health rate among many of the poorer regions across the world.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Post Four/Cuatro
For this week, I've read some more of my outside reading book, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I was only able to read about four chapters due to an excess amount of homework, but those chapters were full of information. First of all, the book is actually beginning to make more sense. The reader is given a clearer view of the plot. Story narration is also introduced which helps relieve the suspense created through the events of the book. The two new characters, Trillian and Zaphod are nicely introduced in the story as well. It is mere coincidence that these galactic bandits are connected to Ford Perfect and Arthur Dent in some way. Zaphod is Ford's "semi-cousin" and Trillian and Arthur have met each on Earth before. The most important event of these chapters, however, is the character's discovery of the legendary and ancient planet of Magrathea. This unbelievably improbable planet is the focus on all of their minds, and could possibly cause conflicts for them in the future. The characters impulsive actions seem to lead them into danger and the reader can only hope what happens next won't be too devastating. I also predict that the story is steadily rising to its climax and that I have yet to read about most of Arthur Dent's incredible journey. It all seems as if the story is slowly building momentum for some unknown event, which leaves me excited and full of anticipation for the next chapters.
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