Science fiction is a genre that has persisted for perhaps longer than what one might think. When classifying the genre, there are elements of technology and they are typically set in the future. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy implements such elements, but takes the issues of life, the universe, and everything and puts a funnier spin to them. This allows the author to take serious issues in society and point out the ridiculousness of situations. Absurdity is perhaps the main theme of the books in which nothing is left untouched in terms of being called out. The contemporary era from which this book originates from, while not the birthplace of science fiction, launched the genre into the public’s view and made the concepts explored in them
…show more content…
Countless people have felt that this novel is worthy of being analyzed and explored. One such critic remarked that it is “highly accessible primer to outside-the-box thinking” and that Adams never gives in to the “to the bleak paranoia or wanton violence that permeates so many works of contemporary speculative fiction” (Wynne-Jones). Another critic remarked “many authors would shy away from such obviously extreme plot devices, Adams layers them in as heavily as possible” (Smith). This alludes to plot points such such hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional beings who appear as mice, a spaceship that runs on improbability, and the destruction of the entire earth to name a few. Generally, critics seem to agree that this book and the series that follows it is a great source of social commentary that continues to remain relevant to this day. Some difference critics have are, what the book is saying about society. They say everything from it’s about politics to it’s just about enjoying life and having a good time. Douglas Adams would say that his work was meant to be enjoyed and not really to be torn to pieces to find a meaning. Sometimes crazy things just happen. From the critic’s point of view, the body of criticism has remained the
Countless people have felt that this novel is worthy of being analyzed and explored. One such critic remarked that it is “highly accessible primer to outside-the-box thinking” and that Adams never gives in to the “to the bleak paranoia or wanton violence that permeates so many works of contemporary speculative fiction” (Wynne-Jones). Another critic remarked “many authors would shy away from such obviously extreme plot devices, Adams layers them in as heavily as possible” (Smith). This alludes to plot points such such hyper-intelligent pan-dimensional beings who appear as mice, a spaceship that runs on improbability, and the destruction of the entire earth to name a few. Generally, critics seem to agree that this book and the series that follows it is a great source of social commentary that continues to remain relevant to this day. Some difference critics have are, what the book is saying about society. They say everything from it’s about politics to it’s just about enjoying life and having a good time. Douglas Adams would say that his work was meant to be enjoyed and not really to be torn to pieces to find a meaning. Sometimes crazy things just happen. From the critic’s point of view, the body of criticism has remained the