What's the President actually got to do with it?

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams: p. 23-47

The craziness of this book continues, he open with an amazing flip, and then continues on a path with several differnet stops along the way. Adams introduces a character who is the President of the Galaxy, and his name is Zaphod Beeblebrox. (He's clearly not from around here.) Zaphod holds the title of the President, but there is one little problem with this, the President is absolutely powerless. Every now and then he makes a quote that is important, but otherwise he is just like a business man among working class. But then again with his few statements or quotes he has the people waiting on baited breath for what he is about to say to them. At the moment, Zaphod plays actually no role in the book besides an announcement but maybe that could change. Otherwise it's like he a man you pass on the street do remember him if he has jeans and a coat on, no. If he wearing giant sunglasses, a sombero, or maybe even boa like Hulk Hogan, then I would like to say yes. With the destruction of the Earth, Zaphod really isn't that bothered, in fact he could care less. He is the type of guy who can see a murder and think only of the mud on his shoes. I really believe that he might be a mental patient, or just a plain old headcase. But, as I said before, maybe he will become more important. I would say probably not, what would Adams want with a dumb dumb as his main character.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams- p. 1-23

What an amazing book, the start is much like a horrible essay I, personally, have written. I mean that I have tried this technique and it never works out well for me. The beginning starts in a peaceful way with a character with high hopes and big dreams. And then "wham bam thank you mam," the story is flipped. The beginning reminds me of a "Simpsons" episode. (Has anyone ever noticed that they start on one plot and end on completely different story line?) Some of characters are very life like such as Arthur Dent, the houseowner, Mr. L. Prosser, the blue collar worker, and then there is Ford Perfect. He is a little far fetched but then again he could easily be confused with a foreigner who is trying to learn our customs, tradition and lifestyles. He still has a problem, even though he has been living among us for fifteen years, he can't detect sarcaism very well. Which can be funny at times but alittle distubing at other times. A perfect example of this would be when Arthur's house is about to be demolished, and Ford asks him if he is busy. Arthur replies No, I'm just lying in a ditch nothing. Almost every human being would pick up the inkling of "yes I am, now get out of here." But for the story so far, it seems to an interesting little tale that will unfold into an epic. I only hope that it sticks to its original charcters now, I'm sort of attach to Ford he makes me laugh with his drinking habits and quarkie personality make me chuckle (not laugh, just chuckle).

Group Response: Fantasy Blog

My blogmates and I have chosen the fantasy genre because it is simply the best genre around. But it was not just for fun, the fight between good and evil is great. The jubilation of good focused against the dark forces of evil, what can be better than a twenty minute stare off followed by a heated exchange of furious magical attacks. Nothing. And that is just between the three of us, other people feel exactly the same, or more. (I once saw someone get into a fantasy so much, they lost touch with reality, and required that we call him Ogliath the ruler of 7th street.) This actual genre provides humanity a route to a world where things are pure and good and do not have the normal everyday hustle and bustle of rush hour traffic. The world of fantasy lets pejust have.

Assessment - Indy Reading Project - December

Dan - 5/5 Responses

Well brother, you've got about a 10/90 ration going in some of these responses. I'll stick to the last one since I haven't commented on it yet. I see a bunch of plot, and I see three sentences of commentary mixed in:

• Everyone is unique in there own way but some characters are just different.
• Being locked away from the world your morals start to go to hell, its almost like living with a bunch of pirates.
• Now I don't condone this type of behavior but I understand it.

Problem is, none of these comments are developed. I'd rather you spare me some plot and instead build from something you have to say.

Shawn - 4/5 Responses
Shawn, does the setting have any larger significance. If you're going to write about setting, explore it a bit more. Does it create mood? Represent something larger than itself?

Robert - 3/5 Respones
Do better. You've got to do all your work Robert.