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Don't Panic: A Genre Analysis On The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
Don't Panic: A Genre Analysis On The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy contains many conventions featured in the science
fiction genre. For example, space travel is a common convention in science fiction. The entire
novel follow Arthur Dent and company as they make their way through the cold and enormous
space and to the planets of Damogram and Magrathea.
Carl Sagans Contact can be compared to The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. The
story follow Eleanor Arroway, a radio telescope astrophysicist who is working on the search for
extraterrestrial beings. After years of pointing a telescope to various parts of the sky only to be
met with silence, she finally hears a noise. This noise just so happens to be a blueprint from
intelligent aliens instructing humans how to build a spaceship. EleonorEleanor and other people
then proceed travel to meet with the species that contacted them. The two novels involve space
travel.
Another convention included in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is aliens. Adams
includes many alien species in his novel. For example, there is Ford Prefect, the alien originating
from Betelgeuse, and his two-headed cousin Zaphod Beeblebrox. Then there are the repulsive
Vogons. Arthur and Trillian can also be considered alien- depending on the perspective. In
Contact, Carl Sagan also included extraterrestrials. The only thing different from The
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is that the alien are enigmatic to both the reader and the
characters in the book.
Advanced technology is alsoalsco included in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. The
Heart of Gold, the spaceship that the team travels with, is described as being the most remarkable
ship in the whole universe. Marvin, the depressed robot, is also referred to as a technological
marvel. In Contact, the spaceship is made according to the directions sent by the mysterious
aliens. Both spaceships are extraordinary in their respective universes.
A constraint of a science fiction novel would be the lack of a threatening situation. Arthur
Dent had to deal with near-death experiences and an intergalactic police chase. Also, n Not many
science fiction novels take place in a pleasant, conflict-free universe. Eleanor had to deal with
passionate opposition during her journey. Another constraint would be a conflict that is not
solved by the protagonist. As pathetic and unheroic Arthur Dent was, he still came through and
saved himself and his companions.
The purpose of science fiction is to explore the what if situations in life. Adams
questions what would happen if the planet earth was destroyed. Sagan talked about how he
imagines communication between humans and aliens would go. Another purpose of science
fiction is to entertain. Adams fulfils this well by his use of humor in his book which in turn keeps
the reader captivated.
The The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy was developed in the 1970s. At this time,
technology was at its peak. Space exploration such as lunar landings were happening and space
stations and satellites were being launched into space. This cultural background fits into the
novels theme.
As one of the primary purposes of a science fiction novel is to entertain, The
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy would work well as a graphic novel. A graphic novel would
help the audience get a better image of what is happening in the story. The general target
audience of science fiction novels is people who enjoy reading speculative fiction. A graphic
novel would attract those who might enjoy speculative fiction but not reading. An adoption into a
graphic novel would include more readers into science fiction.
The genre of science fiction is one full of wonder and excitement. The Hitchhikers
Guide to the Galaxy exhibited this very well and added humor showing the genres diversity.